love you...Up To The Moon

On Independence Day

2011-07-04T12:03:00.007-05:00

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with quirky parades and family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. This is patriotism at its finest. ~Erma Bombeck

A lot has happened since my last blog post. For one, we moved. Packed up and left the country for the city. It was pretty much a spur of the moment (albeit difficult) decision, yet that is how we roll--shoot first and ask questions later. As it turns out, I love being back in the city; there are so many things I didn't realize I missed. The town we now call home is an amazing mix of big city life and small town feel. Our 4th of July Parade was a great example; it's quintessential small town in the big city, and patriotic to the tenth.

No floats in this parade, just an assortment of cars, old and new,
all decked out in red white and blue.

Our neighbors invited Jaden to ride in the parade with them. He LOVED it, waving to the crowd and throwing candy, all the while yelling "Pork Chop." ???

It's days like today that not only am I proud to be an American, but I'm happy to find small town perks in the city. Now if I could just see the stars at night....

May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country!

~Daniel Webster

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Pie Dreams

2011-01-21T13:41:00.004-06:00

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

~ Mark Twain

I remember it like it was yesterday. The moment I knew I was destined to be a baker. My Easy Bake oven sat humbly on my grandmother's kitchen floor. She, my teacher and mentor of all things in the kitchen, was baking a cake for my Father's birthday. So was I, just on a smaller scale. I stood next to her and slowly, carefully mixed my cake batter, watching her with an eager eye. I slid the cake gently in the "oven" and stared through the tiny window, watching in awe as the heat from the light bulb magically baked my cake.

Sometime in my adult life, I began to try my hand at pie baking. I was determined to create the perfect pie crust, and to create pies that would make anyone's day better. I love everything about pie. From rolling the crust to concocting simple but delicious fillings. Even one of my favorite movies, "The Waitress," is a favorite because it involved pie.

So I guess you say I'm over the moon to be the the new "Pastry Chef" (humbly self taught) at a quaint location in the Hill Country of Texas. I am bursting with excitement, have my baking shoes on and am ready to roll. I hope to have time to chronicle my journey for you here...so stay tuned!

The Days of December

2010-12-01T10:55:00.005-06:00

There are many things I love about the Christmas season. I love the spirit, the sights and sounds (my favorite Christmas songs are not so traditional, a few of which are playing for you now). I love the food, the celebrations, the cards that come only once a year, buying our tree (a real tree and nothing but), and especially Christmas Eve. That is my favorite day in December. There is a feeling on that day like no other. My son loves every day in December, thanks mostly to a gift we received from a very special family. About 6 years ago, we had a Norwegian exchange student join our family for a year. Marte is now like a daughter to me, and our time with her was one of the best experiences I've ever had. She and her family left us with many special memories and gifts. One of those gifts has become a much anticipated Christmas tradition in our house. We call it the Star Calendar. It hangs on my son's bedroom door, and is the reason he's up at sunrise every day, checking what treat was left for him. This year, I think I'll mix it up a bit, taking some inspiration from this blog. I love the activities she's come up with; what a great way to celebrate the spirit of the season.

The Sweetest Thing

2010-11-08T09:59:00.001-06:00

What a difference a year makes. This photo was taken at last year's Bake Sale:

Dorothy was in the throws of her battle with kidney cancer. She was so brave, and always happy despite everything her little body was going through. In her three years of life, she has fought a battle tougher than many of us will ever know. Dorothy has been in remission for a year now, and this is nothing short of a miracle.

Here is Dorothy today-happy and healthy and full of life. She truly is the sweetest thing.

Healthy children are a blessing we should never take for granted. As we gear up for our Cookies For Kids' Cancer bake sale this weekend, please keep all the brave children battling cancer in your prayers. If you're local, come out to Boerne Market Days and support our cause, or visit the Cookies website and donate. And always, always be thankful for the healthy children in your life.

A blanket of love

2010-10-15T08:38:00.000-05:00

Blanket, you are soft and comfortable
in the coldest winter, you keep me warm.
You surround me like soft cotton.
You give me long, sweet dreams,
and keep me wrapped in your warmth.
You are sweet, my blanket.

I'm knitting this right now - a blanket for someone very special.

I haven't met him yet, but I already love him.

I will be his aunt, and spoil him for sure.

He will change a lot of things for a lot of people.

And I hope he loves his blanket.

There is so much more

2010-10-05T12:00:00.001-05:00

There is so much more to life than the daily grind.

It's easy to get caught up in our lives and forget about those who are in need, especially when we seem to be so blessed. But the fact remains; there are many in need.

A few years ago, my heart began to open it's eyes to see the needs of others, not just myself and my family. They say that the greatest impact you can have may come out of pain. We might not understand why sometimes we have to travel a difficult road to discover wonderful opportunities, but I guess we're not meant to understand everything.

How can any of us understand why children get cancer? It seems so unfair that this horrible disease can inflict itself on our most innocent, but is does. And it continues to be the number one disease killer of children in the U.S. Another fact that many people don't know is the extreme lack of funding for pediatric cancer research. Did you know that 8 out of 10 clinical trials are funded by the private sector?

My passion for raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer research came out of a very difficult time for my family. Last year, we baked our hearts out for a cause (you can read about that here and here). We are gearing up for another bake sale this year, because even though my family is no longer in the throws of pediatric cancer, many others are. And they need our help. Give thanks for the blessings in your life. Be especially grateful for healthy kids, and get involved to make a difference for those who are not.

If you are reading this, please visit Cookies for Kids' Cancer and learn how you can help.

Come. Sit. Heal.

2010-09-24T09:48:00.001-05:00

I recently wrote an article for children about Therapy Dogs. I am already a dog lover, but through my research, I gained an even deeper respect for Man's Best Friend. A dog's ability to heal people goes beyond our comprehension. Mostly because they achieve this through the simplest means. Dogs heal us by just being. I have a dog, a goofy chocolate lab named Lily. Not everyone sees the best in her, but I do. She's like my second child, my shadow, and I can't imagine life without her. She's even chewed up my favorite pair of shoes and an heirloom sewing item that was my grandmothers, but I love her no less. I came across this little tidbit during my research, and I wanted to share it. The author is unknown, but clearly knows dogs. Enjoy.

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can get going without pep pills,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on

you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no

prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,

Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog!

The color of my eyes

2010-08-24T08:01:00.001-05:00

My eyes had many colors yesterday: the first day of first grade for my little boy, who will soon be seven and isn't so little any more. My eyes woke up gray, fogged with drowsiness, then quickly changed to green, because it was time to get up and go. A little bit of silver and gold flew in to express my excitement about the big day. While walking to class (we only get to do this on the first day, so I treasure it!), my eyes turned blue when my son announced he didn't need to hold my hand. I reached for it, but was told "that's OK mommy, I'll just hold my backpack." Ouch. Even though some good friends did a great job of keeping me busy most of the day, my eyes were brown, non-expressive and stagnant. After school, bright yellow as I waited to pick him up, anxious to see his eyes, which would tell me a lot about his day.

My eyes are hazel again, the color they've always been, as we made it through a big day and all in all, it was pretty good.

Your wife is hot, so it's cold soup for you!

2010-08-05T08:50:00.000-05:00

There is only a small window of time in which I don't really dig living in Texas. That time is right now, and the reason is the weather. Once the end of July rolls us into August, the heat turns up to high. It becomes smokin' HOT. No rain, no cool breeze. The pool is hot, the Gulf of Mexico is hot, everywhere and everything is HOT. Even the water that comes out of the hose is hot.

About this time, ~~I start to think about becoming a nudist~~ I begin to give my kitchen the evil eye for even considering that I might try to cook something for dinner. Right now, it's all about not cooking. Great White Hunter has had to live with lots of salads and sandwiches lately, and I can't believe he didn't gripe about the cold soup last night. Most people think gazpacho when they think of cold soup, or maybe vichyssoise, but I was thinking cucumbers. Probably because our garden spits out about 3 a day, and I'm running out of ways to serve them. So, in addition to some pretty tasty submarine sandwiches (watchout all you Subway sandwich artists...) I served this:

Cold cucumber mint soup

A favorite old recipe from Martha, I used to make this all time but have forgotten how good it is. And so easy! The key is getting the right amount of salt and pepper to truly bring out the cucumber and mint flavors. Here's the recipe if you'd like to give it a whirl (in your blender, of course :-) And you can click here for a listing of about 40 other cold soup recipes. Who knew there were so many!

4 cucumbers, peeled and seeded
1 small or 1/2 large clove garlic
1 cup plain yogurt, low-fat if desired (I used Fage Greek Yogurt, ridiculously thick and so good)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
1/4 cup water
4 scallions, white and green parts, cut into 1-inch pieces
3/4 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions
1. Cut 1 cucumber into small dice, and set aside for garnish. Cut others into large chunks. Combine cucumber chunks, garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, and water in a blender, and puree until smooth.

2. Add scallions and mint leaves, reserving some of the mint for garnish, and puree briefly. Season with salt and pepper, and add more lemon juice if a tarter flavor is desired.

3. Chill until ready to serve. Stir well before serving, and ladle into bowls or mugs, garnishing each serving with a big spoonful of diced cucumber and a sprig of mint.

Where two or three are gathered

2010-07-25T10:35:00.002-05:00

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matt. 18:20)

Our family has been at a crossroads with "religion" for quite some time now. We have been church shopping for way too long, and more Sunday's than not, end up staying home. The problem I have with this is that it becomes so easy to neglect the health of our souls and we begin to replace church with preferring to engage in the temptations of the world. Why has it been so difficult for us to find a place to strengthen and renew our faith? I don't really know, but I will venture to say that "religion" keeps getting in the way; dogma mostly, and beliefs that one faith is superior to another.

While we have recently returned to our old church (a non-denominational bible-based community church), we do not show up every Sunday. Last Sunday, when we actually made it to church, the pastor said something that really hit home. He said that sometimes, we get caught up in the routine of church and simply go through the motions. As a result, we miss what worship is truly about.

This morning, due to one reason or another, we did not make it to church. Instead, we did something that was kind of cool, and something we plan on doing on those Sundays when we just can't get it together. We held our own church, outside on our porch, the three of us and our Bibles. We discussed a few Bible verses, read a Psalm, and said a prayer. It was nice, it was contemplative, but mostly it was a time for our family to be still and know God.

If I seem confused, it's because my mind is on vacation

2010-07-21T09:58:00.003-05:00

I can't take credit for the title of this post. My seven year old son uttered this phrase last night while we were walking our dog. It was like the child was reading my mind (which has been on vacation for several days now)! I'm feeling a little wacky lately, something I will blame on hormones, because these days I blame everything on hormones. In all seriousness, I have felt a little like I'm losing my mind.

Thank goodness I have plenty to do to keep myself busy. Yesterday I went out to pick some figs from our ginormous tree,

and I was greeted by a party of vermin, trying to beat me to the picking. After I put my heart back in my chest (those dastardly squirrels scared me when they leaped out of the tree, cheeks full of figs) I discovered there were a few figs left for us humans to consume. And consume them we did. Wrapped up these sweet little gems in thin slices of prosciutto di parma, sprinkled them with aged balsamic vinegar, fresh thyme and shavings of parmigiano reggiano cheese, and scarfed them down. Delish.

Ratatouille

2010-07-15T08:36:00.001-05:00

It happens the same time every year. Everything in our garden ripens all at once, and I'm scrambling to find ways to use our harvest before Great White Hunter cans it all. While canned garden goods are nice, I think fresh is best.

A little over 10 years ago, way before Disney's movie that managed to make rats seem cute and talented, I started making ratatouille. The way this dish was prepared in the movie, more like a confit, layered in a high sculptural form, was the idea of celebrity chef Thomas Keller (the owner of the famed French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley). Julia Child insisted on making ratatouille in a similar fashion: by cooking the eggplant and zucchini separate, making a sauce with the tomatoes, peppers and herbs, then layering in a casserole dish and baking in the oven.

My version is much simpler, and much more rustic looking, as everything is cooked together. Inspired by a Provence recipe, I cook my eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes and herbs all in one pot. This is very easy to make, and absolutely delicious. My child devours it - "without the basil please mommy" - but still.

RATATOUILLE

3 tbsp. EVOO

2 cups chopped onion

2 1-lb eggplants, unpeeled, and cut into chunks

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 zucchini, unpeeled and cut into chunks

1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks

1 yellow or green bell pepper, cut into chunks

2 3/4 lbs rip tomatoes, seeded and coarsly chopped

3 sprigs fresh thyme

1 sprig fresh rosemary

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Heat olive oil in a heavy pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Add eggplant and garlic, saute 5 minutes. Add zucchini and peppers, saute 5 more minutes. Mix in tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf (you can also add a dash of herbs de Provence if you'd like). Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until veggies are tender, about 30 minutes. Discard bay leaf, stir in basil and season generously with salt and pepper. This dish can be served hot, warm, or cold, and can be prepared up to 8 hours ahead. It makes a wonderful side dish, or a base for grilled fish, but is also perfect as a light summer main course. Serve it with crusty bread and good wine. Yum!

Create yourself

2010-06-29T15:47:00.007-05:00

Inspiration can come from many things. But a dish towel?

Yes, a dish towel. This adorable dish really spoke to me.

I once had a bustling career with hopes and dreams of what I could achieve. Then motherhood hit me, and I gave it all up to spend every waking minute with this miracle that is my child. As time went by, I began to wonder, what the heck happened to me? I used to have dreams and goals for myself; a career that gave me purpose. Now I'm just living for everyone else.

I recently heard someone say, "Let your children see you have a passion for something. Be a mom first, but don't lose who you are." OK, wow.

For a while now, I've been thinking I may have lost myself and my passion. Then I see this cute dish towel, and it reminded me I haven't lost myself, I just haven't created a new me.

So, who do I want to be?

First, I want to be a mom. The best mom I know how to be. As I see it, a wonderful opportunity is given to each of us who are raising children. Yes, it's hard. Mentally draining at times, but what job isn't? I'm sure there are other noble professions out there that sometimes make you feel as if you're slowly being pecked to death by a chicken. But how many jobs let you play an integral part in raising good and kind human beings?

Second, I want to make a difference in the world. The founder of Cookies for Kids' Cancer quoted Gandhi when she said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." Her son was diagnosed with cancer. She created an organization to help change the future of pediatric cancer research. But it doesn't take ginormous efforts, even the smallest things can bring about change. So with this in mind I will continue to give where there are needs. Raising money for pediatric cancer research. Check. Helping out at the local food bank or nursing home? Check. Trying to inspire others to give back as well? Check.

Last, I want to turn my creative passion into something worthwhile. Have my own restaurant? Maybe. Open a yarn shop? Hmmm... Become a writer? All these things are passions of mine, so I'll be searching until I find what I'm looking for. But in the meantime, I'm showing my son I have a passion for something. It took time for me to figure this out, but while I was busy being a Mom, I have created exactly who I want to be.

Summertime

2010-06-13T09:22:00.004-05:00

FLASHBACK: It's the last week of school. Your schedule is packed. So much to do, so little time. It's kind of out of control, but you keep your eyes focused on what's ahead. Summertime...

Summer always arrives in the nick of time. Just as you are about to run out of gas, life refuels you with summer. Schedule-wise, things aren't much different: obligations don't disappear in the summer air, and in an effort to keeps our kids from ~~driving us crazy~~ getting too bored, we fill their days with camps, sports, swim lessons and play dates. But there's something about summer that breathes a sigh of relief and brings respite from the monotony and fast pace of the school year.

At our house, summer means hot days and lots of dips in the pool. In the evening, it's warm enough to eat dinner outside and linger until it gets dark and the air fills with the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle. We spend more than just a weekend at the beach. All the hard work we've been pouring into our garden begins to pay off. And my kitchen gets a little break as the grill takes over.

Summer food. Oh so good, and one of my favorite signs that summer is here. Last night's dinner was amazing. Fresh swordfish, grilled on alder wood planks and topped with a mustard sauce that left us at a loss for words. A bowl of vine ripened tomatoes, tossed with a bit of balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, pepper, and lots of fresh basil. And since we had just picked about 5 pounds of peaches, peach lavender cobbler for dessert.

What do you love about summer?

Chef in the making

2010-06-09T19:59:00.011-05:00

If you've spent any time at all reading my blog, you know I love to cook. For me, good food can take you out of yourself and transport you to a different place. Cooking is in my bones, and probably in my DNA. My dad is an incredible cook--a natural; I never saw him use a recipe, but grew up watching him concoct delicious meals that looked as good as they tasted. My comfort food memories are gifts from my Mom. Warm pudding, mashed potatoes, and the best lasagna, turkey soup and apple pie I've ever had.

I guess it goes without saying that I want my son to experience all the joys of cooking I have come to love. I want him to be shaped, in part, by a passion for good food; to have taste memories that take him back to a certain time and place.

Earlier this spring, I discovered a friend was opening a cooking school for kids. Just a hop, skip, and a jump from our house. I was giddy, to say the least. It wasn't even a question I would sign my son up. To my delight, he was very excited about his summer "cooking camps." Today was his first class, and in his small eyes it was a huge success. He loved everything about it. So did I. The Boerne Cooking Cottage is set in a quaint old house, immaculately restored and designed with the young cook in mind.

"Chef Lauren," as the kids call her, is a treasure. She has amazing teaching skills and patience, plus a dash of fun, which provides for an awesome kid-friendly cooking experience. My little chef hasn't stopped talking about his "beautiful and delicious banana pudding" all night. We are LOVING this cooking school and can't wait for the next class. If you're local, please stop by and visit The Cooking Cottage. Sign your children up. You won't regret it. The gifts they'll gain will last a lifetime.

Mer - Sea

2010-05-25T12:15:00.001-05:00

J'aime la mer.

I saw a pillow, similar to this one, at my favorite beach shop in Port Aransas (in fact, there's even a picture of her here [3rd row, middle pic]). I fell in love with her immediately. The price tag, though, not so much (a mere $400). No can buy, I said. But I could probably make, I thought. So I did. And I love her. She is fashioned in a similar way to all the rag dolls I make, but I had to freehand the pattern which was surprisingly easy. I used tea-dyed muslin, cotton netting for her hair, and hot glued a boat-load of small sea shells to her body. I'm taking her down to the beach this weekend, where she'll sit peacefully on my bed. Reminding me how much I love the sea.

The Squirrel Situation

2010-05-20T08:12:00.003-05:00

The Texas Hill Country is a beautiful place to live, however challenging for us gardeners. We share our home with volatile weather, deer and other creatures big and small who make gardening a little arduous. Most people would think deer to be the major problem; not so for us. Our problem is a bit smaller and much more destructive. Our problem is squirrels. I used to think they were cute, until they began to eat everything, and I mean everything. They attack every bird feeder I put out and leave nothing for our fine feathered friends. Every plant I stick in the ground they nibble on or dig up trying to bury their stash of food. I've even seen them relaxing on my front porch like it's Club Med (my chocolate lab is absolutely no help in deterring them-she prefers chewing shoes over chasing squirrels). Their cuteness has slowly turned to annoyance. I'm taking the gloves off; let the games begin.

I've tried everything to humanely handle our squirrel problem (I would be happy to peacefully coexist with these critters, but they just don't understand boundaries). They could care less if my lovely petunias taste like Tabasco or if the soil reeks of blood meal or big cat pee (don't ask). I have constantly complained to Great White Hunter about their little shenanigans, expecting him to relish the fact he was being asked to join the fight. Shockingly, he didn't seem to care. Until those little buggers had quite the fiesta in el jardin.

To say Great White Hunter was a bit upset is an understatement. He now feels my pain. After a trip to the local do-it-yourself store, he came home with an arsenal of have-a-heart products designed to help our situation. So far, nothing has worked. Last night, when we noticed little so-and-so sitting in our backyard, munching on a piece of fruit pilfered from one of our trees, the hunter in my husband reared its ugly head. "Did you want your squirrel BBQ'd or fried?" he mumbled as he trotted off to get something a little less humane. The problem is: he is not joking. The next time my husband gets the urge to cook, you can bet I'll be having a salad.

The joy is in the journey

2010-05-08T10:05:00.003-05:00

There is no travel guide for motherhood. It's an adventure you can't prepare yourself for no matter how hard you try. Motherhood is a magnificent journey, sometimes hard and sometimes overwhelming, but worth the trip. The moment we begin this journey, we are no longer the person we were before. The territory is almost always unfamiliar, as each day brings new challenges. Sometimes we get lost and want to give up. But then we come across a beautiful discovery, a gift that only motherhood can give, and we have once again found our way.

Along the way, we stop to smell the roses, but we respect the thorns. By doing so we become better mothers.

Be thankful for the the journey of motherhood. It is a true blessing.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.

So you wanna be startin' something (this is me on a soap box)

2010-04-30T13:01:00.002-05:00

Jaime Oliver is right. We need a food revolution. I've only watched his show once but he's definitely a man on a mission, and with good cause. The other morning, Great White Hunter took my little kindercutie to school early, giving him the treat of having breakfast at school. This will never happen again. When I asked my son what he had for breakfast that day, he said he didn't eat. I was kind of upset, thinking he chose to goof around with buddies instead of eating, but then he told me why. "They served corn dogs with syrup for breakfast, mommy." While I was proud of my kid for opting out of a clearly unhealthy breakfast, I was not too thrilled with the food program at his school for offering this as an acceptable breakfast.

To add insult to injury, last night I saw a commercial that was, quite frankly, shocking. It made me realize this country really is headed in the wrong direction when it comes to health and nutrition. This particular restaurant, I will refrain from naming it, was promoting their new breakfast item which consists of two pancakes with a ginormous slab of cheesecake smeared in between and topped with something that loosely resembles fruit. Oh. My. Goodness. Now I realize why everyone else views American's eating habits so poorly. This is what they see. And the problem is, if you make it, they will eat it.

So here's the thing, I don't normally get on a soap box and I apologize for my rantings. But something's gotta give. This country has got to wake up and smell the problem. If you would like to get involved, I encourage you to sign Jaime Oliver's petition here, and volunteer to start a revolution in your town. Our children's health is at stake.

AN HERBAL LIFE

2010-04-20T14:26:00.010-05:00

What do you think of when you hear the word herbal? Hippies? Homeopathic remedies? Many things come to my mind when I hear the word herbal: a sense of serenity, fragrant bliss, even romance (some herbs have legends and lore deeply rooted in love).

I LOVE herbs. Maybe because they are so easy to grow, and flourish with the least amount of care. Maybe for their endless culinary uses, or because their scent makes me happy (I'm easily entertained). Whatever the reason, I love herbs.

When I first moved to the Hill Country of Texas, I discovered a small nursery that was home to a myriad of herbs. I found countless varieties of oregano, sage, thyme, mint, basil, lavender, rosemary, the list goes on. Move over Disneyland, this nursery was now my happiest place on earth. And it still is. I've started incorporating herbs in pots with flowers on my patio. I love the mix of flowers and herbs, and they seem to have a harmonious relationship, growing well together.

I have several cookbooks centered around herbs, buy my favorite is The Herbfarm Cookbook by Jerry Traunfeld. For me, cooking with herbs is like icing a cake; it completes the dish. I relish in being able to walk out into your yard, clip a handful of fragrant herbs, and transform an ordinary recipe into an extraordinary one. This recipe, from The Herbfarm Cookbook, makes a wonderful herb infused bread that will show off your herbalness!

Slice a loaf of artisan bread, being careful not to cut all the way through. Brush the inside of the slices with melted garlic butter (In a small pot, melt unsalted butter and add crushed garlic. Heat until the garlic loses its raw fragrance but does not brown). Tuck handfuls of fresh herbs between the slices (I use a mixture of oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, and marjoram). Wrap the loaf loosely in foil, leaving the top open. Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 12 minutes, or until heated through. Discard the herbs when serving.

Lessons of love

2010-04-02T14:58:00.009-05:00

I have one of those grandmothers. You know the type. Every time you showed up on her doorstep, she greeted you with the biggest smile and the warmest hug. After smothering you with kisses, she whisked you away to the kitchen and fed you the best homemade delights. Food that let you know you were at Grandma's. And nothing from a box or a can. Ever. She was an expert cook, gardener, hostess, seamstress, and all around domestic queen. She always made you feel like you were worth the effort, and she loved you more than you thought possible (and always "up to the moon").

Just about every memory I have of my grandmother involves cooking. She taught me so many things, from how to scramble the perfect egg to making some of the most complicated dishes. Everything she made looked and tasted incredible. And she did it with such ease.

My grandmother celebrated her 91st birthday this week. These last few years have aged her and changed her quite a bit. Even though I can still see her and talk to her, I miss her. I miss all the wonderful times we spent together. I miss our conversations and her wisdom. Most of all, I miss cooking with her. I'm so thankful for everything she taught me. I will continue to keep her legacy alive and pass her traditions on.

I love you grandma. Up to the moon.

Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread)

Tsoureki, pronounced TSOO-REH-KEE, is a sweet bread traditionally served by Greeks to celebrate Easter. My grandmother made it every year. It should be baked on Good Friday and is considered good luck to do so. Intense red-dyed eggs are added to the bread to represent the blood of Christ (again sticking with tradition, the eggs should only be dyed on Holy Thursday). There are many different recipes for Tsoureki, but I always use a scaled down version of my grandmother's. This is her hand-written copy (I love the hearts) and because she could bake this from memory, only ingredients are listed, no how-to. Good thing she taught me well.

Ingredients (makes 2 loaves):
2 cups milk
2/3 cup butter
1 tsp. sugar
4 packages active dry yeast (do not use rapid rise)
6 eggs, slightly beaten
2 tbsp. fresh grated orange zest
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
8-9 cups bread flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar

Preparation:
Place the milk in a small saucepan and warm over low heat. Add the butter, stirring it into the milk as it melts, then allow to cool slightly to about 110 degrees. Sprinkle 1 tsp. sugar into the milk mixture, then add the yeast. Allow to ferment for about 5 minutes. Place milk/yeast mixture in a large bowl; add eggs, remaining sugar, salt, 4 cups of flour, orange juice and zest. Using an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix until all flour is combined. Add remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until dough is easy to handle.
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size. Punch dough down, knead again and then divide the dough in half. Shape each piece into 3 ropes, each 12 inches long. Pinch the 3 ropes together at one end, then braid the 3 ropes into a plaited loaf. Repeat the process with the other 3 ropes.

Once the bread is braided, insert the red eggs and brush with beaten egg. Allow to rise again, about 30 minutes. For a decorative touch, add blanched slivered almonds after brushing with egg.

Bake the bread in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temp to 350 and bake for 20 minutes longer. The finished loaves are glorious.

Flower fix

2010-03-26T10:31:00.001-05:00

Good friends always have good advice. They can help you sort out your thoughts and see the light at the end of tunnel. And if the light is pretty far off, you can count on your friends to find ways to cheer you up. I was having lunch with some girlfriends the other day, sharing some issues and thankful for their attentive listening ears. Afterwords, my good friend gave me a hug and said, "Go get yourself some flowers to put around the house, they will brighten your day."

She was right. And I did. As simple as it may sound, surrounding yourself with the beauty of nature truly does wonders for your outlook on life. No matter how bad you feel, the vivid colors of flowers and the beauty they add to your environment can make you feel a little less agitated and more hopeful about the outcome of the day.

So why not try and keep yourself a little box of happiness and hope at your house? Pick up a couple bouquets of flowers, or maybe even a few flowering gems for your yard. You'll be amazed at the quick fix flowers can bring.

Got me a Streptocarpus - no, not a sickness, a beautiful plant closely related to the African violet. It's one of my favorite flowering houseplants. Learn how to care for it here.

Picture Perfect Vacation

2010-03-22T09:52:00.001-05:00

BRECKENRIDGE ROCKS.

We had barely arrived and my little man just had to make his very first snowman, whom we appropriately named "Slumpy"

(and yes, I knit both of those hats, thank you very much!)

The view from our deck was awesome, and so were the slopes!

To say Jaden loved the snow is an understatement.

Jaden was a natural on skis, and pretty independent. I only had to dig him out of the trees once...

We had an amazing time, and have already mades plans to go back next year.

Can't wait.

Spring, sweet spring

2010-03-09T09:07:00.009-06:00

Today I'm packing for our ski trip: jackets, sweaters, scarves, hats and mittens galore.
I'm headed to a winter wonderland, but Spring is outside my door.

Our fruit trees are in bloom, scenting the air with their sweet fragrance.
No need to play music outside, the birds are handling that.
My garden spade winks at me,
anxious for the chance to do some serious work.
It's been a long, cold winter here,
and I can't wait to dig in.

Spring is on its way.
Take some time to really see it. Like so many things in life,
blink and you'll miss it.

Spring, the sweet spring, is the year’s pleasant king,

Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring

Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing

Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo

The palm and may make country houses gay

Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day

And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay

Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo

The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet
Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit
In every street these tunes our ears do greet
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to witta-woo!

From Summer's Last Will and Testament by Thomas Nashe

A Red-Letter Day

2010-02-26T16:42:00.003-06:00

By definition, a red-letter day is any day of special significance. Some people might not consider chaperoning a kindergarten field trip to the zoo a red-letter day, but for me it was. Simply stated, it was a great mom day. There were no raised voices; no arguments or conflicts, and although I was still tired at the end of the day, it was a good tired.

I'm always grateful for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom during these early, quickly passing years. But today I felt especially grateful for the blessing of being a mom. Wandering around the zoo with my child and his kindergarten class made me truly thankful for the chance to experience mommyhood.

In the days leading up to this trip, I think I was just as excited as my son. I couldn't wait to see him in his school environment, and he got to ride ‘the big yellow school bus” for the first time, which is kind of a big deal. This morning at breakfast, he excitedly reminded me of just that. While I was driving down to the zoo, I couldn’t help but picture him on the bus and wonder what he was thinking, and if it was as cool as he expected it to be.

Sunny, crystal blue skies with temperatures in the mid 60’s made for an absolutely perfect day to stroll around the zoo. I was thrilled when my son’s teacher informed me I would have a small group of three, two girls and my son, to spend the day with. My little six-year old was the perfect gentleman, holding doors open for “the goils” and agreeing to see what they wanted first, saving his coveted reptile hut for last. I reveled in watching him interact with his classmates and seeing their eyes widen at all the sites, simply amazed and astonished by all the zoo had to offer.

Amidst all the mom duties and the trying times, it's so refreshing to have a simply fun day. A chance to cherish each moment with your child while making memories that will carry you through the more difficult days. Before ending our time together at the zoo, our little group took a small time out to talk about what we liked best. I think my son summed it up well: "This day was just nothing but fun." Yes it was, and how cool is that.

Avocado Poetry

2010-02-22T13:41:00.006-06:00

(this one's for you, girls. and you know who you are...)

Here's what I know about the avocado.

Good ones come from California and sometimes Mexico.

Hass are the best by far and bar none.

You can forget all the rest, I've tried them, I'm done.

Not a veggie, but actually a fruit.

They taste devine and are nutritious to boot.

The fat isn't bad, they call it a MUFA.

Won't add cellulite to your bod, so you can put away the loofa.

The fruit hangs heavy in pairs on a tree.

I heard it's named after something from the male anatomy!

Some ancient cultures regarded them as holy.

You can make a lot with them, but my fave is guacamole.

Actually, the way I like to eat avocados the most

is mashed, smashed and spread on toast (rye, that is. the darker the better).

Leftovers in disguise

2010-02-05T07:37:00.013-06:00

Great White Hunter is pretty easy to please when it comes to food. I can cook up just about anything and he'll eat it. With one exception: leftovers. He does not like leftovers. Period. I normally don't cross that line with him, but there are exceptions to every rule.

Since we've had house guests FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS STRAIGHT (I'm fine with it, really), I've been preparing larger meals. The other night I made enough meatloaf to feed ~~5,000~~ (wait...that was Jesus with the bread and fish...) 10 people, so needless to say we had leftovers. I am the kind of person who hates to waste, plus I'm always up for an excuse to get out of cooking, so I crossed the leftovers line. Sort of.

"What are we having for dinner?" he asks. "Grilled burger subs with caramelized onions, potato wedges and a salad," I replied (not a lie, just a tiny twist of the truth). He gobbled it up, complimented my effort and was none the wiser about my trick. Or maybe he was and didn't feel the need to call my hand. Whatever. He ate it, and it was good.

Make this: thinly slice one sweet onion and caramelize. Slice leftover meatloaf and grill in fry pan. Spread spicy mustard on whole wheat sub rolls, add grilled meatloaf, top with onions and sliced cheese (I used smoked provolone). Place, open face, under broiler until cheese melts. Add ketchup if desired. Serve under alias of your choice.

The more things change

2010-01-13T10:26:00.010-06:00

My sweet boy is growing up, changing right before my eyes and it's an incredible process to watch. Sometimes, emphasis on some, I have these truly lucid moments with him where I'm able to absorb everything that's happening. Like this morning, when out of the blue he asked me to sing him one of the "mommy songs" I used to sing him to sleep with. So, as we waited for the morning carpool, there we sat, him on my lap, his head on my shoulder while I sang to him (one our favorites, Lullaby by The Dixie Chicks). I was completely in the moment, one of those I feel are becoming few and far between. Well, moment over as soon as my neighbor arrived to take him to school. He hopped off my lap, grabbed his backpack and lunch box, and said, "see ya later, mom." Mom...what happened to Mommy?

As I was cleaning his room later this morning, it hit me. The more things change, they don't stay the same. His bookshelf, which once held brightly colored stacking blocks, ABC books, and one of those wooden pull ducks, now houses dinosaurs, die cast airplanes, and books on bugs. He doesn't even need his "blankie" anymore, a recent decision he came to all on his own (I couldn't believe it was that easy). While it's wonderous to watch them grow, it's bittersweet too. Oh well, I guess as long as he needs me in his life I'll be OK. And I'll strive for more lucid moments with him so I can capture all the memories safely in my mind. I'll need them one day.

A slump to get you out of one

2010-01-08T12:38:00.009-06:00

It's unbelieveably cold here right now. Today it's a whopping 21 degrees and I can't seem to get warm. It's been cold for quite some time now, I guess you could say we're in a cold slump.

In my effort to create a more balanced life, yesterday I made a slump. It was a busy day for me: interviews and writing, helping out at our local food bank, and the first day of my new Bible Study class. So last night I decided we needed some comfort food to warm us up and, since I love to cook, balance out my hectic day.

While thumbing through the new issue of Bon Appetite, I came across this recipe for a dried fig, apricot and cherry slump. I'd never heard of a slump before, but anything with fruit poached in wine and topped with dumpling-like biscuits has to be good. And it was. Oh so good. Can't wait for leftovers tonight, or maybe I'll just have some for lunch...

It was very easy to make, and looked and tasted fabulous. I added a bit of sugar and vanilla to the cream, making it even more yummy. If you're up for a dessert sure to warm a cold night, try it. If you don't like dried fruit, you can make slumps with apples and pears, or berries. Hmm, berries. Maybe I'll try that one next.

Balancing out the New Year

2010-01-04T11:07:00.012-06:00

I love the feeling of a new year. It's one of hope and ambition, a sense of renewal, and the chance to start fresh. It's a gift we are given each year, a cleansing for our souls if you will. How we choose to use this gift is up to us.

Most of us make resolutions and start holding ourselves to a higher standard right off the bat. Sure, we need goals to move forward, but sometimes we become so focused on those goals that we miss out on the little things. This year, instead of making a resolution, I'm choosing a word to define my goals for the year. I want to live each day to the fullest. I'm going to find the peace in the chaos. I'm going to savor every minute, for time is also a gift. If I accomplish some goals along the way, then all the better.

Now that my Christmas decorations are safely tucked away and the house is back to normal, I am full of exhilaration and anticipation. I don't know what the new year has in store, but I do know I'm ready. Life will always throw us curves. It's how we deal with those curves that matters. For me, this year will be about going with the ebb and flow, taking the good with the not-so-good, and finding balance. Through balance we can achieve inner peace, and through peace we can truly enjoy the gifts of life.

Happy New Year, I hope you enjoy every minute. Oh, and thank you to my very dear friend for sharing about the word of the year. Have you guessed mine yet?

B A L A N C E

What word will you choose?

Hope...Peace...Change...Possibilities...

Reach...Believe...Intention...Optimism...

Joy...Simplicity...Persist...Acceptance...Connect...

Focus...Create...Explore...Love

Warm Wishes

2009-12-13T08:16:00.005-06:00

I haven't disappeared, or dropped of the face of the earth. I haven't posted in a while, not because I'm buried under laundry or swamped with Christmas shopping (even though I am), but mostly because I still get chills when I read the bake sale post. So, with that in mind, I'm going to let that post carry us through to the New Year.

Have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever you celebrate this wonderful time of year. And my wish for you all in the New Year is that you find some way to give back. You will be amazed at the gifts you will receive in return.

The day we made a difference

2009-11-22T08:34:00.015-06:00

Several months ago, when I read about the Cookies For Kids' Cancer organization, I knew I would host a bake sale and raise money for pediatric cancer. What I didn't know is what an amazing experience it would be, how much it would change my life, and how thankful I would be to have been a small part of a big need.

The planning started a month ago, when I sent out an email asking family and friends to help with baking, sign making, working the sale, etc. My good friend, Amy, was doing the same and within hours, we had a list of over 50 people wanting to help! Great White Hunter also got involved, soliciting help from his business connections. Hubby really came through with some nice donations and even four Spurs ticket, which we raffled off and brought in an extra $1,000. Even our big, beautiful banners were donated to us.

The week prior to the sale, friends drove all over town putting up signs. We had signs everywhere: in shop windows, at the checkout counters of major retailers, at schools, everywhere.

The day before our Bake Sale, our volunteers began delivering us boxes and bags of the most incredible baked goods. In fact, we had so much stuff, I truly thought I would have to host a two-day sale to sell it all. There were three tables loaded with goodies, and under each table were boxes filled with things waiting for space to be put out. You name it, we had it. A myriad of cookies, muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, breads, biscotti, brownies, lemon bars; basically everything but fudge. Which is funny, because one of the first people to visit our sale looked at the three tables full of baked goods and asked, "You got any fudge?" Nope. No fudge.

Location, location, location! How true this is. With a little perseverance, I managed to get a booth space donated so we could hold our bake sale at a local outdoor Market Days. This turned out to be so worth the effort. We were given a prime spot at our town's Market Days. Front and center, you couldn't miss us. Our booth was constantly swamped with people, even 30 minutes before Market Days officially opened. We sold everything, which I didn't think was possible in one day. We also raised over $5,000. In one day. Amazing.

Our sweet Dorothy was a big helper, too. She handed people cookies and put their donations in the jar. She blew lots of kisses and gave lots of hugs and said many thank yous. And she remained happy and playful all day. Not one single melt-down. Not one tear shed. FOR SEVEN HOURS. I think she was just grateful to be outside enjoying a beautiful day, and not stuck in the hospital.

During our bake sale, we met adult survivors of pediatric cancer, survivors of all types of cancer, and people currently fighting the battle who were so glad to give. For me, there is not one moment of this day that wasn't meaningful, or special, or didn't make me teary-eyed. Absolutely everything was awe-inspiring. Something that made this day even more special, though, was that I was able to share it with my family and good, good friends. And knowing we were able to contribute to such a great cause, well, no words can describe that feeling.

It's a been a week since our Bake Sale, and I'm finally recovering. I still think about it all the time, and it still gives me chills to know how generous people were. Even right now when so many families are struggling, they still gave without hesitation. It was an awesome day, and I can't wait for next year.

With heartfelt thanks

2009-11-16T10:32:00.009-06:00

I woke up Sunday morning a different person. Our Cookies for Kids' Cancer Bake Sale on Saturday was a life-changing experience, and one of the most amazing days of my life. I am so proud to say we raised $5,075.27 (and thanks to The Glad Products Company, our total is $10,150.54). I will post photos and more about the event very soon, so please check back. For now, I have to give a heartfelt thank you to some very special people. My sweet friend Amy, my partner in putting this event together. There are no words big enough to express my gratitude. And to my friends Jen and Anne. They spent their day helping out at the Bake Sale, and it was amazing sharing this adventure with them. I love you all very much and could not have done this without you. Also a huge thank you to this hip momma. She took countless photos to help us relive these memories forever. I am so grateful for your help.

Most of all, the grateful hearts of sweet Dorothy and all the other children bravely battling this very ugly disease thank you. To everyone who was a part of this event, you will never know how much we appreciate you. Let's keep up the fight and continue to be good cookies, because too many children need our help.

Baking for a cause

2009-10-21T11:46:00.010-05:00

Sometimes we feel helpless when faced with something we have no control over or cannot change. We want to do something. Something that will make us feel as if we've made a difference. And sometimes the situation just requires us to sit back and deal. You know, accept the things we cannot change and all that mumbo jumbo. I don't do the "deal" part very well. I want to help. My biggest challenge is finding out how.

Recently, I have learned a lot about pediatric cancer. I discovered that only about 30% of children diagnosed with cancer survive. 30%. That's not even half. The reason for such terrible odds is directly related to how little money is being spent on research by both the government and the pharmaceutical industry. Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 18. In fact, it kills more children than asthma, AIDS, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis combined.

Research can make a drastic difference in cancer survival rates. Take breast cancer for example. Due in part to all the research being done and all the organziations that help fund the research, the breast cancer survival rate now averages 90%. I'm not that good at math, but I know 90% is a lot better than 30%.

One day while glancing through a magazine, I came across an ad for Cookies for Kids' Cancer. The ad caught my eye so I jumped on the computer to check it out. Cookiesforkidscancer raises money for pediatric cancer research through local bake sales. I thought to myself, "Seriously? I love to bake. I can do this. I will do this." I mentioned this idea to someone who did not share my enthusiasm. "Why don't you just ask for teddy bear donations and deliver them to the pediatric cancer patients at the hospital?" While a noble thought, it wasn't quite what I was looking for. Teddy bears are nice, but they don't save lives.

So, in a few weeks, we're "doing this." One of my very dear friends is taking on this challenge with me and we are organizing a bake sale. The outpouring of friends willing to help has been overwhelming. So far, we have 20 bakers and counting. We've set a big goal for ourselves, but I accept the fact that whatever we are able to raise will be wonderful. It might be a drop in the bucket, but it's a start. It's something.

In addition to raising money, I hope we are also building awareness. Please visit this site and learn more about how you can throw a bake sale in your area and help fund pediatric cancer research. Or simply make a donation. After all, as the mother/founder of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer says, “If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes the world to fight pediatric cancer.”

Do the mash

2009-10-18T09:03:00.011-05:00

I love mashed potatoes. To me, they define comfort food (with homemade mac and cheese coming in a close second). This is a shared love in our house, but I have received some hints lately that we've entered the mashed potato doldrums. So, I have been trying to find new ways to enjoy what our house affectionately calls "mashers." I have found some pretty good alternatives to the basic mashed potato, and people seemed to be pleased.

Our favorite so far is white bean mashers. They have been a big hit with both the big and little man around here. And the best part is, they are super easy to make. Here's what you'll need:

3 cans of white beans, drained and rinsed (I use great northern beans)

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 tsp. lemon zest

1/4 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the EVOO, garlic and lemon zest in a sauce pan on med-low heat until it becomes fragrant and warm. Don't let the garlic brown. Add the beans, and with the back of a wooden spoon, smash the beans against the side of pan until they become mashed. Heat through, then add salt and pepper to taste.

If beans aren't your thing, try adding some steamed cauliflower or butternut squash to potatoes just before mashing. When blended with the potatoes, they boost the flavor and nutrition. Or try harvest mashers: a half-n-half blend of russet potatoes and sweet potatoes, mashed together with sour cream and a dash of horseradish. Yum.

Prophetic Lyrics

2009-10-06T08:28:00.012-05:00

"Picture yourself in a boat on a river, with tangerine trees and marmalade skies..."

Do you know the story behind the Beatles song, Lucy in the sky with diamonds? It's a rather sweet story, and has nothing to do with John Lennon wanting to spell out the initials LSD in code. In 1966, Lucy O'Donnell Vodden made a friend in preschool. That friend was Julian Lennon, John Lennon's son. 4 year old Julian came home from school one day with a drawing he had made of a girl with diamond-shaped eyes. He showed it to his dad, and when asked about it, Julian said it was "Lucy in the sky with diamonds."

"Cellophane flowers of yellow and green, towering over your head."

The song is widely regarded as a psychedelic masterpiece, replete with haunting images of "newspaper taxis" and a "girl with kaleidoscope eyes." But listen to the lyrics now, with this story in mind, and you can see the world through the eyes of child.

"Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain, where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies."

Last week, Lucy died after a long battle with lupus. She was 46. Julian and Lucy lost touch after he left the school following his parents' divorce, but they were reunited in recent years when Julian tried to help Lucy cope with her disease. He sent her flowers, and upon learning of her love of gardening, sent gift cards for use at a gardening center near her home in southeast England. He also sent her frequent text messages in an effort to bolster her spirits. Julian said he wanted to do something to put a smile on her face. I'm not sure if he accomplished that, but I admire him for taking the time to try. Sometimes it's the little things. Just like the little picture that Julian brought home from school one day.

"Newspaper taxis appear on the shore, waiting to take you away. Climb in the back with your head in the clouds and your gone..."

Wanna trade?

2009-09-09T08:26:00.012-05:00

School's back in session, and many Moms across the country are getting up extra early to pack lunches, me included. Yes, my son's school has a cafeteria. I've seen the food. I'm not impressed. I know the years when I will lose all control over what he eats are fast approaching, so I'm hanging in there while I can. I am trying to be creative with lunches, make them fun to eat and healthy at the same time. You know, stuff that will make other kids say, "Wanna trade?"

When I was young, one of my favorite books was Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell and Lillian Hoban. In this book, Frances liked one thing: bread and jam. She ate this at every meal. Her friend, Albert, however, had the most amazing things in his lunch at school every day. Finally, at the end of the story, Frances catches on and her lunches become amazing, too.

When it comes to packing lunches, most parents are not intentionally being boring, they're just being pragmatic. If your child likes peanut butter and jelly and it's easy to make, your child gets peanut butter and jelly every day. If this sounds boring to you, it probably is to your kids as well. Here are some ideas to help you get creative with your kid's lunches and ditch the brown bag blahs. Variety is the spice of life, so expose your kids early and allow them to try new things. They may take a while to warm up to your culinary experiments, but they will thank you for taking the time to pack a little love in with their food.

Since sandwich bread every day can get boring, experiment with ciabatta rolls, focaccia, wraps, whole wheat english muffins, mini baguettes, pita pockets, etc.
Use cookie cutters and cut out the sandwich after you've made it to make fun shapes, or use a circle cutter and make a face with raisin eyes and carrot lips.
Make different variations of BLTs, like adding sliced avocado or making a turkey BLT. Try spreading cream cheese instead of mayo for nice change.
Send a healthy stuffed potato. Bake large potatoes in a hot oven for 1 hr. Halve, scoop out the flesh, mix with canned tuna or chicken, broccoli and grated cheese. Pile back in the skins and crisp in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool and, voila, a perfectly packable lunch.
Make a fruit wrap: thinly slice apples, grapes and strawberries. Spread pineapple or strawberry cream cheese on a honey whole wheat wrap and roll. Inlcude carrot sticks on the side to squeeze in those veggies.
Pack a cold pasta salad with chunks of ham and peas.
Try a Mexican Mango Madness lunch: pack a bean and cheese burrito, sliced mangos and a green salad with dressing on the side. Add a chocolate cinnamon pudding for dessert.
A new twist on PB&J (and good for those allergic): Almond butter and honey and whole grain bread, carrot and celery sticks and applesauce.
Pack chicken noodle soup in a thermos, include a whole wheat roll and rice pudding for dessert.

Oh yeah, including a little note is also a great way to pack some love in the lunch box. I love these Lunch Grams - cute papers to write your notes on. Find them here.

Happy Birthday

2009-09-04T09:08:00.004-05:00

You are six today

Happy and full of fun

You are six today

Seems like yesterday you were one

You are six today

Healthy, handsome and smart

You are six today

And your smile still melts my heart

You are six today

Slow down, don't grow up too soon

You are six today

And I love you up to the moon.

xox, Mommy

When the going gets tough...

2009-08-30T12:28:00.009-05:00

I hit the kitchen. Some women shop or hit the spa; I morph into a marathon chef. It's my answer to stress relief. I love to cook and bake anyway, but during tough times I become unleashed. I bake, and my mind clears because I can totally submerge myself in the process. I also cook, comfort food mostly, because there's something about a home-made dish that seems to wash troubles away. And it's not just me that reaps the benefits. My family eats pretty darn good when I get stressed. I can't wait for cooler weather so I can spend three days making Julia Child's boef bourginon.

At present, life seems to be dishing out its fair share to many of my loved ones. This past week alone, I knocked out two loaves of whole wheat bread, enough broccoli cheese calzones to fill my freezer, and six dozen banana-oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies. I'm addicted to them right now, and thank goodness the recipe came from Cooking Light magazine, otherwise I could add weight gain to my list of woes.

Want to share how you cope under difficult times? Or better yet, want to give me some recipes to try? It'll help take my mind off things. Besides, I love to cook and bake, but I also get by with a little help from my friends.

Hi ho hi ho, it's off to school we go

2009-08-24T10:57:00.012-05:00

How did the first day of Kindergarten go? Not as bad as I thought. My child's uncanny ability to be a pill kept my tears to a minimum. The craziness of the morning was too overwhelming to allow much fear or emotions. We just focused on getting to school on time, which we did by the skin of our teeth (note to self: make lunches the night before!). After getting his things settled and finding his seat, he looked pretty unsure of things. Until the most adorable little girl sat down across from him. Their conversation went something like this:

her: "This is my first day of Kindergarten!"

him: "This is my first day of Kindergarten, too!"

It was pretty cute. The two of them kept talking so I gave a kiss, told him I loved him and would see him later, and left the room. I expected to begin boohooing, but instead I felt so excited for him. About what he'll learn and accomplish this year, the new friends he'll make, how he'll grow, and how I get to watch and share in all of this. I feel very blessed. Of course, I signed up, along with my friend, to be room mom and joined the PTO and all that other stuff. I want to be involved while my little man still wants me to be. (but I'll still be involved even after he doesn't.)

And who knows, maybe there's new things on the horizon for me as well. My horoscope for today read:

There are valuable experiences waiting for you around the corner. The important thing for you to do now is simply recognize the opportunities when they come. Roads to success aren't always well marked. Take a chance on one that has no signs at all. You have the courage and pioneering spirit to pursue the adventurous route, so go for it.

When I picked him up after school and asked him how his day went, he told me he was ready for Kindergarten (good thing, because there's we kind of have to go back!). Whatever lies ahead, I think both my little man and I are ready. Ready for the adventures life brings our way.

T minus 7 days

2009-08-17T09:37:00.008-05:00

You know when you're pregnant and everyone tells you not to blink because kids grow up so fast? Well, I must have blinked, because exactly one week from today my son will start kindergarten. I can't believe it. And of course, I'm not exactly ready. My little boy is talking about learning math and science, and I'm still wondering where the time went. We're buying backpacks and school clothes, and I'm looking through baby photos. We've done so much stuff together, my little man and me, during the last six years. Really bonded. I wouldn't trade those times for ANYTHING.

With kindergarten fast approaching, I'm full of nervous excitement and overwhelmed with emotions ("Hello Boo-Hoo Club? Reservation for one, please."). To ease his anxieties, though, I haven't made a super big deal of it. I tell him, "It's just kindergarten, no big deal. It's going to be great." We talk about all the fun things he'll be doing and learning. We've been practicing our reading and writing over the summer. We've read our favorite new book:

I want him to love it (I know he will). I want him to have the most wonderful teacher (I think he will). I want him to make new friends and keep the old. I want him to be safe. I want to be a fly on the wall just one day to see him in action.

For my son, this is one of the biggest adventures yet. For me, it's the beginning of loosening the grip a bit. Just a tiny bit, though. It's only kindergarten, after all...

It's tough being a woman

2009-08-14T10:13:00.006-05:00

(click on the image to enlarge)

Women. We really are pretty complex beings. To men, we must seem strange and incomprehensible. But really, would we have it any other way?

Warrior Princess

2009-08-11T09:28:00.007-05:00

This is Dorothy.

She is one adorable two-year old.

She exudes sweetness, and you want to hug her every chance you get.

Her mommy says she sings the cutest rendition of "Mockingbird" you've ever heard.

Her laugh is infectious.

She loves to look at the moon and the stars.

Last weekend, I got to hold her hand as we walked to the beach.

We made dribble castles together and she was fascinated.

She thinks everything is beautiful. ("Look at the clouds, they're beautiful!")

She's also fighting the biggest battle of her little life.

Dorothy has cancer.

It's one of those things you can't grasp, can't understand no matter how hard you try.

She's so little, yet she's fighting something bigger than most of us will ever have to.

Spend a few hours with this amazing child and you will find inspiration, courage, and warmth.

You will also feel anger and frustration.

But you will fall in love with her, and be amazed at the life lessons you will gain from this two-year old.

What a gift.

I thank God for her every day, and I pray for her.

I know she would love it if you could pray for her, too.

When life gives you 100 degree temps and severe drought conditions.....have a camp out?

2009-08-02T09:57:00.009-05:00

Early Saturday morning, my soon-to-be six year old little boy decided he wanted to have a camp out that night. "A what?" I said. "You want to camp out in this heat? It's the middle of summer! Let's wait until fall when it's cooler, OK? " He looked less than thrilled, and as I started hearing the song, "every party has a pooper that's why we invited you!" in my head, I rethought my answer. Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today, right? Besides, if I put it off, we all know their ain't no camp-out happening over here. As my friend so eloquently put it, the act of following through means so much.

So, since we own zero camping supplies, we set out to Wallyworld and purchased a modest tent. Great White Hunter was pretty jazzed at this idea too, and my men spent a better portion of their Saturday setting up "camp."

According to my son, what's a camp-out if you can't include a cook-out, and he wanted nothing to do with our gas grill. Since we're in the midst of one of the worst droughts in Texas history, we nixed the idea of an authentic camp fire. Instead, we drug out our old fire pit, cleaned it up a bit and got it ready for cooking. We cooked the appropriate camping food: burgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob. Well, sort of. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed buffalo burgers with cotija cheese, guacamole and cilantro lime salsa, and grilled corn with ancho chili butter. I found these new buns today, which I LOVE because they're super thin so you don't feel like you're getting a mouthful of bread with your burger. (Orowheat Sandwich Thins, 100% Whole Wheat)

Grilling on our old fire pit produced very earthy, smokey burgers that were so good. A few roasted marshmallows for dessert and our meal was complete.

As soon as the sun set, a story was read and we were off to bed. OK, I'll admit that after a few hours, my back had enough camping so I snuck into the house and climbed into my bed (Daddy and son spent the entire night in the tent).

This morning when I asked my little camper how he liked his night in the tent, well, the look on his face said it all. What's the moral of my story? Never put off tomorrow what you can do today, and take some lessons from your kids every now and then. It seems they really do know how find pleasure in the simple things.

Viva Cilantro!

2009-08-01T13:59:00.006-05:00

Cilantro, with it's very strong flavor, is one of those herbs that people either love or hate. Me? I LOVE it. The other day I was dumping handfuls of this flavorful herb on a bowl of brown rice tossed with fresh mango salsa (try this, it's super yummy). I began to wonder if this pungent green herb had many health benefits, which would be nice since I eat so much of it. So my big cilantro-filled bowl and I sat down at the computer, googled a bit, and were amazed at what we found. Grab a sprig and chew on this:

Cilantro, considered one of the world's oldest spices, is an excellent source of nutrients which can be easily added to your diet. Physicians, including Hippocrates, used coriander (the seed from which cilantro is grown) for its medicinal properties. The health benefits associated with cilantro are extensive, but it gets major recognition for diabetic support and is known in some parts of Europe as the "anti-diabetic plant." (get out your bowl, Dad :-). Another health benefit is that Cilantro reportedly works as a natural chelation treatment, which means it can help remove mercury from the body. In India, it is renowned for its anti-inflammatory benefits and in the United States used for fighting cholesterol. Cilantro helps digestion and settles the stomach, helps treat symptoms of arthritis, protects against urinary tract infections, helps lowers bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol, is a good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, and iron.

Still need a reason to add this wonderful herb to your diet? Try this easy recipe, it's one of my favorites and has been known to convert many into cilantro lovers!

Cilantro-Lime Salsa

1 small white onion, finely chopped
1 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup lime juice
2 or 3 tablespoons white vinegar (I use 2)
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 cup salad oil
1 jalapeno, minced

Mix all ingredients in a non-metallic bowl. This is great served over grilled steak, chicken and fish.

Stay Tuned...

2009-07-11T08:53:00.009-05:00

OK, so a while back I was Running on Empty; feeling a bit overwhelmed and thinking I Can't Find the Time to blog anymore. Well, over the last few months I've really missed being part of the blogoshpere. Sure, things are still busy and they probably always will be, but I'm Missing You and I Want You Back. I've gotten rid of the powers that be who were dictating how often I had to post, and now I'm ready to get my grove back. I can't promise how frequently I'll post, but I'll be sure what I write is Worth It.

Right now, I 'm Leavin' On a Jet Plane, heading home to spend some time with family, but I do know when I'll be back again. So, Hold On, I'm Comin'. I can't wait to reconnect with everyone and hopefully some new faces, too. Until then, take care and See You Soon!

Farewell, for now

2009-04-08T13:44:00.006-05:00

You know that feeling of "something's gotta give" when your life gets busy? I do not function well when my balance shifts heavily to one side, probably due to my need for a sense of calmness and peace. And tending to be a perfectionist does not help when I get a bit overwhelmed! My life at the moment is not allowing me much time to blog, as I know many of you have noticed. Whether I like it or not (not), I need to say farewell to the blogoshpere for a while.

I wont bog you down with details of why, mostly because I know we're ALL busy, each in our own way. I did, however, want to say goodbye. I'm not sure if or when my blog will be back, but I have hopes that it will. Until then, I wish you good things and happiness, and thank all of you who visited my blog and connected with me in the ether.

Love you up to the moon.

A skate back in time

2009-03-04T11:35:00.006-06:00

Tonight I will strap on some roller skates, something I have not done in many moons, and hit the local roller rink with my fellow mammas. I can't wait. When I was young, roller rinks were the thing to do and I loved to skate. If I close my eyes I am back in time; the lights are flashing and the music is loud, and I'm rolling without a care in the world (except hoping my hair looks good, because a cute guy just skated past me). If it was just me and my friends at the rink, we'd stand at the railing during every couple's skate hoping someone would ask us to skate. Oh, youth. What a simpler time. If only our worries back then were the extent of our worries now. Well, at least I'll have tonight to take me back...to a place...where nobody dared to go...(sing it with me, then say a prayer I don't break anything!)

Get outside - leave the guilt behind

2009-03-02T14:42:00.006-06:00

Our weather has been pretty wonderful over the last week, providing a glimpse of spring (and even summer) and a bit of a problem. How is nice weather a problem, you ask? Mostly because I'm choosing to spend so much time outdoors while things inside are becoming a bit neglected. This morning I heard my husband grumbling searching for some clean socks (which he didn't find) and then griping because we're out of half-n-half for coffee. Needless to say, the laundry needs to be done and groceries need to be bought, and the house really needs a good cleaning. However, my time has been occupied with other things, like planting flowers and herbs in pots on my patio, having a picnic outside with my son, and being outside just to be outside. I was starting to feel a bit of guilt until I stumbled across this little tidbit from The Old Farmer's Almanac:

Every woman should take a certain amount of exercise out-of-doors. It is necessary for good health and good nature, too. If by doing so you will be obliged to leave some of the work in the house undone, who will know or care 100 years from now?

-1888

AMEN TO THAT!

Teach your children well

2009-02-20T07:29:00.005-06:00

There are many wonderful things you can say about the small town where I live. It's rich in history, still pretty safe, has good schools, the people are very friendly, the list goes on. One thing you cannot say is that this town is culturally diverse. In fact, it's more like culturally devoid. I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, a huge melting pot, so I was surrounded by different cultures. My son, however, is not being provided this experience. At the tender age of five, his mind is like a huge sponge and absorbs everything around him. So I decided if he is not getting a glimpse of cultural diversity in his surroundings, I would need to provide that for him.

That is how we came up with Culture Night at our house. It is centered around dinner time, and the meal is what guides our learning. Last night was taco night, so we learned about Mexico. I got out an old but trusty children's world encyclopedia, put on some Latin music, and let the learning begin. We look at maps so he understands where this particular area is located. We talk about the people, the food, the language, the music, and something he really loves, the games children of that culture play. The whole experience has turned into something he truly looks forward to. I have to admit there is a bit of work involved, so Culture Night takes place about every other week, but I want it to be a fulfilling experience for him, not something he gets bored with. The time in between helps him to look forward to it and helps me to get better prepared.

Even if you do live in a culturally diverse area, this is still a fun activity for your family. Besides being educational, it also promotes sensitivity to other cultures. Our next night will be about India, and I think my biggest challenge will be cooking something my picky eater will eat (I'd welcome any suggestions you may have!). Below are some great web resources I use to help me plan these learning experiences. Check them out, and try this with your family. You'll be surprised at how fun it is for everyone. Viva La Culture!

http://www.kidskonnect.com/

http://www.factmonster.com/

traditionalchildrensgamesfromaroundtheworld

Finding peace in what you "do"

2009-02-11T12:27:00.010-06:00

Have you ever had a feeling you just can't shake? A sense that someone is trying to tell you something you're not so sure you want to hear? Welcome to my life at the moment. I've ruled out mid-life crisis and any mental disorders, and what I'm left with is my own paradigm shift. I can't explain it and at times it's a bit scary, but something inside me just wont let up about the need to DO GOOD FOR OTHERS. No matter what I'm doing these days, everywhere I look I see needs. Needs that, is some way, I feel called to help fulfill. Believe you me, I did not actively search for a new purpose for my life. Lord knows I was trying to be content with my stay-at-home-Mom life and all it involved, thinking that was my purpose and it was good.

I tried to ignore it, but no such luck. I told myself it was hormones that were causing me to feel so off kilter. That didn't work for me either. So, I'm finding time in my life to give to those in need. I'm starting small, since baby steps work best for me, but I'm starting. Once a month some of my friends and I give manicures at a local nursing home. Other times I volunteer at this local organization that provides meals and other services to families in need. Sure, this adds to the load already on my plate, but the giving of my time pales in comparison to the gifts I receive.

We all think we're busy, and we are. We fill our time with kid duties, work duties, house duties and some days barely have a moment to breath. Where is the peace in that, and where, amongst our busy schedules, will we find time to do for others? That is a question you will have to answer for yourself, but I encourage you to seek. Only good things can come of it!

(PS, If you're unsure of how to get involved, visit this site, it's a great place to start.)

Why we really buy purses

2009-02-07T10:47:00.007-06:00

The most important thing about a purse is that it's cute, right? Sure it may have a pocket for your cell phone, a clip for your keys and have lots of space, but if it's not that attractive, we aren't buying it. Let's be honest, when we choose a purse what is the main selling point? Aesthetics almost always wins over functionality, at least for me. I never get compliments on my "smart" purses, but I get stopped on the street with comments on my cute and unique ones.

In the name of super cute bags, I wanted to share with you a line of handmade purses a friend of my Moms recently started selling. She discovered these purses during a trip to Bali, and now imports them and sells them in the US. I have several of these bags and love them. They are beautiful, well made and very unique.

My favorite is the "cake purse."

You can see the full line of handmade bags here, and remember, a girl can never have too many purses, shoes, hats, bathing suits, diamonds, spa days, girl's nights out, days at the beach...

Live, LAUGH, love

2009-01-28T10:39:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was my 13th wedding anniversary, so I've been thinking about what it takes to keep a marriage strong. You need lots of communication, compromise, compassion and forgiveness. This video involves what I think is one of the most important aspects of a marriage - a sense of humor. This couple sure seems to have started off on the right foot:

If you haven't shared a good laugh with your spouse lately, there's no time like the present. After all, laughter is the best medicine.

A glimpse of Spring in January

2009-01-21T09:05:00.007-06:00

I don't know about you, but January is such a blah month for me. My house seems so empty and plain after I've taken down all the Christmas decorations, and my yard is barren, too, with most trees and plants still in their dormant stage. It's about this time every year I get the itch to plant and get some color and liveliness back into my house. I started buying fresh flowers each week, but that can get a bit pricey. After wandering through the nursery dreaming of spring, I decided to pick up some bulbs and try my hand at forcing them indoors. There are several types of bulbs conducive to forcing: crocuses, daffodils and paperwhites (Narcissus), hyacinths and tulips. The process is very simple: choose your bulbs, chill them for about a week or two (place them in your refrigerator or store them outside if cold enough), then plant. Smaller pots, around 6" in diameter are best, and you can use either potting soil or rocks to cover the bulbs (for tulips and daffodils, leave the tops of the bulbs exposed). Water after planting, then keep the soil moist until growth is visible. If plants get tall and top-heavy, cut some tree branches and poke in the soil around the bulbs for support.

Forcing bulbs is an easy and satisfying way to have beautiful flowers indoors during the blah winter months. Your spirits will be lifted when you're surrounded by bright floral displays and fragrant aromas, another wonderful gift from nature!

Oh Cedar Tree, Oh Cedar Tree

2009-01-14T13:02:00.005-06:00

It's that time of year again here in central Texas. The one time of year I kind of wish I lived somewhere else: Cedar season. For those of you not familiar with this, every year, starting in December, the Mountain Cedar trees begin their mating ritual. The male trees put on tiny cones that eventually burst, sending brownish pollen into the air in search of the small green cones of the female tree, or the inside of your nose. By mid-January cedar season is in full swing, and for many of us here this means nasty bad allergies. The symptoms are harsh enough to warrant being called, "Cedar Fever."

How can some fairly small, pretty harmless looking trees cause so much misery? I don't know, and I don't care. What I do care about is feeling better and being able to peacefully co-exist with the outdoors right now. Seriously, it's not like we live in some snow covered, frigid place where being outdoors in winter is just silly. I am developing a strong dislike for these trees because they keep me from enjoying the outdoors for almost two months during winter. My cedar allergies laugh at OTC antihistamines, and my allergist says I'm not severe enough to warrant the shots (oh, I beg to differ). So here I sit today, INDOORS on a very nice day, googling remedies for Cedar Fever. NOT my idea of a good time.

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-07T09:25:00.008-06:00

I must admit, I'm not big on making New Year's resolutions. The main reason is that I don't want make promises to myself that I can't (or won't) keep; it's a drag to let myself down. I have never made a resolution that I have followed through with, so to avoid further disappointment, I stopped making them. My resolutions go unresolved not because I set unrealistic expectations, but because I give up so easy. I'm not letting others down, just myself, and that's not such a big deal right? After getting through this holiday season, however, letting myself down is suddenly a big deal. I feel a strong urge to set some goals for myself in 2009 and beyond, and I can't seem to kick this overwhelming sense of needing a fresh start. If you think about it, each new year is like a free clean slate. A no questions asked ticket to start over. I'm not passing this up any more.

What are my resolutions this year? Nothing spectacular or unique I'm afraid, but good personal goals none the less. I'm tired of being tired; I'm done wishing for a more physically fit self and ready to be one; I want to finish my teaching degree, and I desperately need to become a more patient parent (does desperation equate impatience?) I have no concrete plan to make these resolutions happen, but maybe that's a good thing. If I put too much planning into the mix, it's a given things will fall through the cracks, so this year I'm winging it. I'm keeping in mind the things about my life I want to change, and then haphazardly changing them.

Right now I have the chance to get some exercise and take my dog for a nice long walk, so I'm going to take it. Before I go, I want to wish a Happy New Year to you and yours and encourage you to cash in your ticket for a fresh start!

What Christmas means to me

2008-12-19T13:37:00.011-06:00

It's funny how things change as we get older. I would have never thought this would apply to Christmas, but this year it's become very apparent that it has. I remember as a child Christmas was my favorite time of year. I couldn't wait for family to gather and presents to get opened and treats to get eaten. When I grew up, my favorite things about Christmas were decorating the house, shopping for presents and baking my heart out. When I had my son, I thought all these things would become even more special.

So it's a bit ironic that, at this point in my life, these things no longer define Christmas for me. Maybe it's time, or lack there of, but the shopping and the decorating seem more like chores than pleasures. Try as I may, even baking isn't filling me with the holiday spirit like it used to.

This year I find myself yearning to establish meaningful traditions with my family, something we can all carry in to the future. We've said no to many holiday gatherings in exchange for quiet evenings at home. Instead of becoming wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the season, I'm reflecting on the year past and the new one ahead. I'm also trying to find ways to give to those in need rather than spending it all on those who have. Most important, I'm focusing on what I teach my child Christmas is about.

I wish you all a peaceful and merry Christmas, and hope that the days ahead are filled with what means the most to you this holiday season.

Reality Check

2008-12-15T15:23:00.006-06:00

Wow, what a beautiful day! The beach is gorgeous right now; warm sun, sand and surf. People are walking along the shore, greeting me with friendly smiles as I relax in my lounge chair. Oh, and someone just brought me the most delightful tropical drink. Could this day get any better? Now I even hear birds singing...hmmm...how nice.

Wait a minute. I think those birds are my alarm going off (yes, my alarm is birds chirping). Seven a.m. Monday morning? I must have been dreaming. Good grief. Well, better get up and see what's really waiting to greet me. This day can't be too bad.

I'll just get my robe and grab some coffee first. Watch out for that huge load of laundry in my closet. Hello laundry. What's that? You need to get done today? I'm off to the kitchen for that coffee first. Hello dirty dishes. Don't look at me like that. You'll get done in due time. I just want to sit at the table and enjoy this one cup of joe. Oh, hello dust. Wow, I can almost write my name on this table! Guess I've been neglecting my house while I've been putting up decorations, shopping, wrapping, shipping gifts, mailing cards, etc. OK, I'll look out the window instead. Hello dog slobber on the window. Are you back again? Maybe I'll try staring at the floor. Dirty floor, is that coffee or chocolate milk I see on you? Take a number, I'll get to you later.

I'm going to move in to the office and take a looksey at my email while trying to enjoy this coffee. Hi ginormous stack of mail. Do you need someone to sort through your messy self? Of course you do. I'll head out to the front porch and finish my coffee first. Yikes, it's FREEZING outside! Forget that! Now my coffee is cold. I'll pour another cup. Excuse me, list of things to do on the fridge, I need my peppermint mocha creamer. Wow, list. Did you get bigger overnight?

I think I'll go back to bed and try to find that dream again. I should have a few minutes before...

"Mommy, can you fix me breakfast now?"

A Handmade Christmas

2008-12-13T09:21:00.009-06:00

I love to to put a handmade touch on my holidays. Whether it's creating decorations or gifts, I'm happy just to be making something (now I know why my Grandmother always said busy hands make happy hearts). Here are just some of the things resulting from our handmade Christmas:

A simple swag wreath for our front door (made from the branches we cut off the bottom of our Christmas tree)

NOEL -cut letters from a sheet of foam, covered them with moss, berries and tiny pine conesNot really handmade, just a good idea. Plant paperwhite bulbs indoors, cover the soil with tiny glass ballsMake a simple pine cone tree by covering a tall foam cone with moss and mini pine cones

My child's favorite: a twig star to top our tree

Lots of handmade gifts this year!

A knit hat and scarf and a baby blanket that I'm still feverishly working on

Matching embellished Mom and Baby tees
I hope you can find time to put a little handmade touch on your holidays. Sometimes it's the simplest things that bring the greatest joy.

Small Town Holidays

2008-12-07T12:12:00.010-06:00

I grew up in a fairly large beach city in Southern California, and believe me, I am the last person who would have said one day I would love living in a small town. Well, almost ten years ago I moved to a small town. Moving here was a huge leap of faith for me, but one I have never regretted for a second.

There are many reminders of how different life is in a small town all year long, but especially so during the holidays. Sometimes it's as if I am on a different planet. The wonderfully decorated stores aren't crowded, there's almost no traffic, and people are even more friendly during this often hectic time of year. Every year at Christmas, our town goes all out to celebrate the season. Main Street shuts down to traffic and the town comes alive with holiday cheer. You feel safe, despite the crowds, and that is something I treasure.

Some people say living in a small town puts you out of touch, but I feel the exact opposite. Life in a small town has put me in touch with meaningful things like quality of life, a strong sense of community, finding beauty in my surroundings, and making wonderful family memories. It doesn't get much better than that.

Where ever you live, I hope this holiday season brings you peace, love, and joy and that you take time to savor all the things that make this time of year so special.

Beach Style on a budget

2008-12-01T09:06:00.013-06:00

We spent Thanksgiving at the beach condo and managed to squeeze in a little work with our play. We finished "updating" both bedrooms with paint, new floors, blinds, bedding and a few things on the walls. Here's what the guest bedroom looks like, still a bit more decorating to do but I think we're off to a good start.

In lieu of headboards (and because Great White Hunter has me on a pretty tight budget), I picked up some bamboo fencing and stapled it to the wall. The old surfboard we found at a local surf shop for a steal. Originally, we put a queen bed in this room, but added a twin at the last minute to accommodate more people (I'm still not in love with striped bedding, maybe it will grow on me). I do love the bright colors in this room.We went for a more peaceful color palate in the master bedroom.

Happiness found in a little condo by the sea...

The case for organic turkeys

2008-11-21T08:01:00.008-06:00

Have you ever wondered where the 45 million turkeys consumed each year on Thanksgiving come from? Me neither, but with being sick this week and watching way to much TV, unfortunately I found out. Deciding to watch something educational or mind stimulating, I found a show called "How It's Made" on the Discovery Channel. I thought, "Great! I'll get to learn how something cool is made!" until I heard the the topic was turkeys. In an hour of way too much information on turkeys, here's what I learned:

The average life of a "farmed" turkey is 5 months.
Since the demand for turkey is so high, commercial turkey farms artificially inseminate all their female birds (who wants that job? And yes, they showed how it's done. Eeww.)
Females are allowed 1 hour to lay their eggs, then they are mechanically booted out of the cage to make room for the next bird.
Once the female lays her eggs, she is immediately inseminated again!
The eggs are packed up daily and taken to a hatching facility.
A hatching facility incubates 200,000 eggs a day and approximately 900,000 eggs are hatched in one week.
Chicks are kept in cages for almost a month before being sent to "the farm" where they will live out the rest of their short 5 month life.
Chicks follow humans around the farm trying to find their mothers (All I could think of was the children's book, "Are You My Mother?)
There are a series of 4 barns the turkeys will move through until they're ready to be "packaged." As far as conditions in the barns? Not that great.

Organically raised turkeys are usually free range and get lots of fresh air, real sunshine, and certified organic feed that is free of synthetic pesticides and antibiotics. Their diet of high quality grains and vegetable proteins also make for a tastier bird. Here's a great article from Bon Appetit magazine on choosing the right turkey for your thanksgiving meal. As far as what will be on our table this year? Well, after watching this program, we'll be having sushi.

Not exactly the "me" time I was hoping for

2008-11-17T08:30:00.008-06:00

Is the Doctor in? Yes, but she's sick. We have been passing sickness around this house for several weeks now, and just when my sweet child and hubby are feeling better, wham-o! Mommy gets it. Isn't that just wonderful? You're absolutely exhausted from taking care of everyone else and really need some "me" time, but what you get is...SICK. The house is a mess (haven't had much time to clean while playing Dr. Mom), the child's energy level is back to normal, and to top it all off it's MONDAY and I can barely get out of bed. Not exactly the "me" time I was hoping for.

Why does it take a sickness or injury to physically make us slow down? If we realized the importance of "me time" and taking better care of ourselves, maybe we would do it on a regular basis instead of waiting until we get sick. So today, while the laundry and grocery shopping desperately need to get done, I'll drag myself to the doctor, child in tow, which is always fun. Before I go, let me remind myself and others of the best six doctors I know, of whom I would much rather be seeing today:

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.

~ Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

The Shoe Saga

2008-11-08T08:29:00.012-06:00

Many of you are familiar with the antics of my dog, Lily, but did you know about her insatiable passion for cute shoes? Ever since she was a tiny puppy, Lily has thoroughly enjoyed chewing my shoes. Notice I said MY shoes? She could care less about hubby's or child's shoes, which are left lying around the house on a daily basis. I go out of my way to keep my shoes out of chewing reach, but somehow she always finds them. I remember one day I found her eating my absolute favorite pair, the shoes that I simply adored and so did everyone else (strangers would stop me to comment on those shoes!). I was upset for days, until I found another pair on Ebay. Brand new (which was surprising since the style was a couple of years old) and in my size! I convinced the seller to end the auction early and sell them to me. After reading my sob story, she agreed and sold me the shoes at quite a bargain price. Yes, we women really do understand the shoe thing.

I also have a favorite pair of slippers, a pair that I bought while very pregnant with my son, and they are the most comfortable pair of slippers I have every owned. I wore them in the hospital after a somewhat difficult childbirth, and even though I looked like heck, I had cute and comfy slippers so I didn't care. Shortly after Lily joined our family, my favorite slippers fell victim to her shoe fetish. I scolded her and immediately got on the computer to search for another pair. I found a black pair, which were not at great as the fabulous green color I had before, but beggars can't be choosers, right? Within a week I had my slippers back and things were good.

Fast forward to this morning, where I am now on my FOURTH PAIR of these dang slippers. Apparently Lily loves them as much as I do! It took me a bit longer to find them online this morning, but I did and ordered six pairs (just kidding). I guess the shoe saga will continue until she tires of chewing them, and since she's not even two yet, I have a feeling it's going to be a long hard road for me and my shoes.

Mommy Magic

2008-10-31T14:38:00.004-05:00

Today being Halloween, much time was spent in preparation for the evening's festivities. My son is dressing up as an Astronaut, and I purchased a bright orange jumpsuit for him to wear. He was not impressed with the costume, said it "didn't have all the parts." He was right. The outfit, while cute, needed some pizazz. I didn't think I could talk him in to wearing any sort of helmet for more than 5 minutes, so I decided to try for something else.

Armed with tin foil, duct tape, an empty water bottle and crepe paper, I whipped out some pretty cool gravity boots and a jet pack. When I showed them to my son, his eyes got so big and a huge smile covered his face. "Wow! How did you make those? Did you use your Mommy Magic?" Of course I replied, "Yes, I did!"

It's a pretty awesome feeling when your child looks at you like you're the greatest thing out there, and that's hard to come by anywhere else. As Moms, we do lots of things every day that go unnoticed, so it's nice when our efforts are appreciated. As our children grow up the Mommy Magic moments will be few and far between, but if we try hard enough, they will still occur. I plan on trying to wow my son well into adulthood. Our kids are worth the effort, and we Moms deserve the praise.

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-29T11:09:00.012-05:00

Carving the same old jack-o-lantern face every year can get boring, at least according to my child. We now use templates (you can find a ton of them on the web) that are fun and super easy to do. The pumpkins in these photos were done a couple of years ago. They looked great illuminated at night.

This year, in honor of ~~Marley~~ Lily the Lab, who apparently loves to eat pumpkins although they don't agree with her, we are using the dog template found at this site.

If you plan to do any pumpkin carving, be creative, have fun, and don't forget to roast those yummy seeds for snacking!

Comfort Food

2008-10-27T18:57:00.004-05:00

Comfort. It's like a warm glow inside, the feeling you get from a hug from Mom or curling up next to a fire with a good book. Sometimes it's just what we need at the end of a not-so-great day. When you can't get that hug or curl up by the fire, make this instead. It's the ultimate comfort food.

QUICK CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS

4-6 pieces chicken (bone-in and skin on)

Chicken Broth (enough to cover)

1 Onion, chopped

3 ribs Celery, chopped

3 large Carrots, peeled and chopped

3 Parsnips, peeled and chopped

1 bay leaf

Whole button mushrooms (optional)

Poultry seasoning (1/2 tsp. for chicken and 1/4 tsp for dumplings)

1 1/2 c. baking mix (I use Pioneer low fat)

fresh thyme and parsley, minced

1 cup low fat milk

Heat 2 tbs. canola oil in a heavy pot. Season chicken pieces with S&P, then add to pot and brown well on both sides. Remove chicken from pan. Add veggies (except mushrooms) and bay leaf and cook until tender. Remove skin from chicken and return to pot. Add about 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning, mushrooms and enough chicken broth to cover. Simmer until chicken is cooked through and veggies are done, about 20 minutes. To make dumplings, put all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Drop by large spoonfuls into simmering broth and cover - do not peek - and cook for about 15 minutes.

The technology BOOM

2008-10-24T10:04:00.011-05:00

This week, our computer's hard drive decided to crash and go down in flames. One minute we are working happily away on our computer and the next--crash, boom, bang. GONE. EVERYTHING. I know we are talking about a computer here and not something much more precious, but I still can't shake this feeling of loss. Files, pictures, so much important information gone forever.

I'm sure many of you are saying, "I hope they have back ups of everything" and I wish I could say we do, but it's been a while since we practiced that VITAL STEP. We had allowed our computer to become a crutch, relying on it for everything and trusting it with so much not thinking it would ever let us down. In a sense, computers can become truly life-like and teach us an important lesson: do not put all your eggs in one basket or rely so heavily on others.

Thankfully, our new computer arrived last night and we're spending countless hours reloading software getting things set up. Being without a computer was not fun, and I hope to be back on track soon. Right after I make a trip to computer city to stock up on cds for our weekly back-ups. This time around, we will rely a little bit less on our computer and a little bit more on ourselves. As for you, Murphey? It's about time you packed up and left.

Sweet Dumpling Squash

2008-10-14T17:41:00.009-05:00

I found these tiny squashes today called Sweet Dumplings at my local market, so I decided to give them a try. They're quick and easy to prepare:

cut the tops off and scoop out any seeds
rub them with EVOO and S&P (for a little spice, sprinkle with a bit of fresh grated nutmeg)
place cut side down on a foil-lined baking sheet
roast at 350 for 35-40 minutes
sprinkle tops with brown sugar and roast an additional 5-10 minutes or until tops are golden

These gems are super yummy, especially with the sprinkling of brown sugar on top. If you happen to find some, give them a try. Even my son gobbled them up! And check out this website for all kinds of squash recipes.

Beach your children well

2008-10-12T17:20:00.010-05:00

have a ball

build sandcastles (or a sand dog)

don't get crabby

always take time out for fun

The fabric of friendship

2008-10-07T18:02:00.010-05:00

Today I would have liked nothing more than to have a few a minutes to visit my blog and post about some yummy recipe that I've had the chance to try, or write about a fun project I've been working on. Things that take my mind off of the daily stresses of life and the reasons I started a blog in the first place. Lately, though, it seems as if my days are swallowed up so quickly I can't even recall a small taste of them. There is no time for much of anything other than the daily grind, and to be honest, things are ~~GETTING TO BE A BIT MUCH~~ kinda stressful right now. Seriously, Murphy has taken up residence at The Moon.

Great White Hunter is a good husband, father, and provider. He keeps us all together over here and works dang hard at doing so. When I really need to vent, though, I usually turn to my girlfriends (and GWH loves this because it saves his ears from my ramblings). Girlfriends ears know when to listen and not talk. They can make us laugh at the most difficult times, cry with us when it seems like the right thing to do, and tell it to us straight when it's what we need to hear.

Today was getting the best of me until a phone conversation with a very sweet friend. By the end of our talk I was laughing so hard I could hardly remember why I was stressed out to begin with, and she also helped me see the forest through the trees (or snapped me back into reality, however you choose to look at it). Now I won't need to dump everything on the hard working hubby as soon as his foot enters the door.

If you are surrounded by good girlfriends, take a minute to thank them for always being there for you and being what you need when you need it. Then, take a minute to make sure you are returning the favor. To quote Douglas Pagels, "A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be."

Easy Fall Decor

2008-10-03T13:19:00.022-05:00

I planned on putting my Fall decorations out today, however, I must have forgotten Lily the Lab ate most of them last year. Once I was done crying because all my adorable scare crows and hand-made decorations are gone, I set out to decorate with the simplest items I could find. If you're looking to add some easy Fall touches to your house, try some of these:

Let Fall greet your guests at the front door by setting out some unique pumpkins and gourds. I love the handle on this Wolf pumpkin. For a simple door decoration, I purchased a cinnamon broom from the grocery store, cut some fall grasses and cat tails (my son thinks they're corn dogs) from my yard and added a few sunflowers.

Create a harvest swag by tying ornamental corn together with raffia. I have this hanging on a pub mirror in my entry hall.

Decorate indoor trees with fall leaves, mini pumpkins, gourds and ornamental corn. Fill a wicker cornucopia with the same items to add a touch of Fall to your kitchen. Bowls or platters filled with fall squashes, like acorn and butternut, are also a nice touch.

Pecan Chicken Salad with a Fall twist

2008-10-02T15:32:00.005-05:00

I had lunch this afternoon with several girlfriends, and the topic of chicken salad recipes came up (probably because that's what half of us were eating!) I have been making my Pecan Chicken Salad for about 10 years now, and it's always a hit. Although this salad is good as is anytime of year, put a fall twist on it by adding red apple chunks and dried cranberries, and garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds. Yummy!

Pecan Chicken Salad

3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (well rinsed and patted dry)
chicken broth (enough to cover chicken)
1 1/2 c. toasted pecan halves
1 lb. red seedless grapes
1 c. diced celery
1/2 c. diced scallions
1 c. chopped fresh dill
1 1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 1/2 c. sour cream
S & P to taste
Preheat oven to 350. Arrange chicken, single layer, in a shallow glass baking dish. Cover with chicken broth, lay a sheet of foil over the pan and roast until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, about 30-40 minutes. Allow chicken to cool in the liquid, then discard liquid and chop chicken into bite-sized chunks. (If you're in a time crunch, you can cheat by purchasing a rotisserie chicken, removing the skin and chopping up the meat.)

Place chicken in a large bowl and add grapes, pecans, celery, scallions and dill; toss well. In a separate bowl, stir together mayonnaise and sour cream (using low fat or fat free will drastically alter the taste of this dish and is not recommended). Add this mixture to the chicken mixture and toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper. Serve on a bed of watercress or butter lettuce, garnish with fresh dill sprigs.

Chasing Butterflies

2008-09-26T18:28:00.004-05:00

Our weather is so nice right now, we are spending lots of time outside enjoying the beginning of Fall. Child o'mine is a bug hunter, and Fall is Monarch Butterfly season here in south central Texas (they're making their way down to Mexico for the winter). They are tons of them everywhere and my son spends lots of time trying to catch one. Today he found a playful one (you can spot him in the upper right corner of this photo) - he would swoop his net in an attempt to capture it and the butterfly would gracefully dodge it, but wouldn't fly away. This happened about 4 or 5 times until the butterfly finally flew off, probably thinking his luck would eventually run out.

I was so enthralled watching my son play and wonder at the world. Does he truly know how carefree childhood is? I try to remember what it was like to spend my days playing, not having worries or concerns or many responsibilities. I wish I could have captured that time in a butterfly net. I'm so happy that I have my sweet boy to help me remember.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

2008-09-22T13:24:00.005-05:00

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

~George Eliot

Today marks the official beginning of Fall. The Autumnal Equinox is here and so is my favorite time of year. After today the nights grow longer (does that mean I'll get more sleep?) and, depending on where you live, the days will be noticeably cooler. Here in Texas, well, let's just say mid to high 80's is cooler and we'll take what we can get. Although, in our defense, temperatures usually remain very Summer-like during the first week of Fall.

One of the reasons I love this time of year is all the fun things to do. Here's a list of some Fall festivities in my neck of the woods:

Love Creek Orchards' Great Hill Country Pumpkin Patch (Every Sat., Sun., Mon., & Tues. in October)
Oct. 3-5 Fredericksburg Oktoberfest
Oct. 10 - 12 Rockport Seafair (crab races, gumbo cook-off, kayaking, kite boarding)
Oct. 17-19 Boerne Fall Festival of Art and Music
Oct. 25 Boerne Harvest Moon Celebration
Oct. 25 Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest
Oct. 31 through Nov. 9 New Braunfels Wurstfest

Wherever you live, I hope you get out and enjoy this beautiful time of year. I look forward to sharing Fall recipes and decorating tips in the weeks to come!

What do I want to be when I grow up?

2008-09-19T09:16:00.007-05:00

I saw the movie The Women this week with some friends, and it seems to have me pondering life a bit. Amidst all the drama and the shameless product plugs (there were A LOT), the movie was quite provocative. The main character (Meg Ryan) goes through a difficult time in her life and ends up trying to figure out what she wants out for herself. She's a wife and mother, but something is missing.

All week I have been deep in thought about what may be missing in my life. I gave up a very successful career to become a Mom, and I do not have any regrets. I am very blessed that my husband is able to support my decision to stay home during these early years of our son's life. My main goal and purpose is to raise a happy, healthy child to send out into this big, big world.

That being said, my son is growing up so fast and it's starting to become clear to me that I cannot stay home forever. Going back to my old career is not really an option; too much travel and very long hours. I have thought about teaching and was working on my degree before I got pregnant. Now I question that path - will it really fulfill me or will I just be getting a job that allows me to work around my son's schedule?

The minute I gave birth it stopped being about me, and I completely accept that. However, I also believe we are all better Moms if we have something in our lives that fulfills our desires. When my son was 6 months old, I started a small business that has managed to stay afloat for 4 years, but it doesn't pay the bills. I need to find something that truly inspires me and that I enjoy doing, and that will help support our future. My fear is if I take a job doing something I don't enjoy, it will not benefit my family in any way (we all know if Mommy ain't happy, no ones happy).

I have some time to figure this out, but I must do just that. When the time comes for me to start working again, I want to be ready. I want to know what I want to be when I grow up.

I'm back...but I need some rest!

2008-09-13T09:37:00.009-05:00

It's been a while since I've visited the blogoshpere, let alone post on my own blog. Things have been quite hectic around here, to say the least. My son turned five last week, so I was deep in party mode (Pirate party mode, to be exact), plus I had my Mom and her good friend visiting for a week so I was a tour guide as well. Life is getting a bit back to normal now, except I've been totally exhausted. Feeling like I've been run over by a bus tired. All I want to do is sleep, but alas, that doesn't seem to be in the cards for me. I had a hard time sleeping last night because the sink drain in my bathroom was gurgling all night. It's probably stopped up with some sort of hairy clog, but since I've been making a concerted effort to go green around here, I can't pick up the Liquid Plumber.

I found this recipe online to "safely" unclog drains. I'm going to try it out along with my super cool new drain snake . Next time you reach for the Drain-O, try this instead: Pour a cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of white vinegar, down the drain. Plug the opening with an old rag or a stopper and let it bubble away. After a few minutes, rinse with hot water and repeat if necessary. I'm taking my plumber hat off now and, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a nap!

Grape Stompin'

2008-08-31T08:48:00.006-05:00

Today we went with some friends and visited our favorite local vineyard's Annual Grape Stomp. It's a fun time - we've gone every year for the past 3 years and always enjoy it. The Vineyard is beautiful and the wines are pretty good; if the weather had been a bit cooler I'd say it was a perfect day.

Our boys stompin' grapes and wandering through lavender fields

He's growing up...

2008-08-28T13:45:00.009-05:00

"Franklin could slide down a riverbank all by himself. He could count by twos and tie his shoes. He could even sleep alone, as long as he had a good-night story, a good-night hug, a glass of water, a night-light, and his blue blanket."
an excerpt from Franklin's Blanket, by Paulette Bourgeois

My son, my only child, will be turning 5 next week. Five seems so big to me. He has grown so much in the last year, both physically and mentally, that I really feel like my little boy's days of being little are slipping away so fast.

He has a very special "blankie," one that ever since he was about 9 months of age has never gone anywhere without. Blankie helps calm him when he's upset and helps settle him down before bed at night. Last night, after I had tucked him in to bed, he said to me, "Mommy, when I start Kindergarten I'm going to say goodbye to blankie."

He looked so sad about this decision, but he also knew this was something he needed to do. I hugged him for a minute, hiding the tears in my eyes, and told him that when he's ready we'll wrap blankie up in a special box and put him away in a special place.

Deciding to let something like this go may be a natural part of growing up, but it's still a big deal in his little life. I'm sure neither of us will look forward to the day we say goodbye to blankie. For my son, a special part of his childhood will have come to an end. For me, it will mean my little boy isn't so little anymore. I will probably shed a quiet tear as we put blankie away, but then scoop my son up and talk about all the things we have to look forward to as he grows up.

Manic Monday - Saved by the rainbow

2008-08-25T15:57:00.013-05:00

Just in case anyone is wondering, I still loath Mondays. I dread getting out of bed on this particular day of the week, because Mondays make me feel completely OWL (that's Overwhelmed With Life, and you'd know that if you read How To Eat Like A Hot Chick).

Today is the last Monday before child o'mine (stop laughing, Christopher) starts preschool, and it ranked right up there with the most hectic of days. Then, late this afternoon, just when my shoulders began to tense up thinking about all the things I still needed to accomplish, I looked outside and saw this:

It was a full spectrum double rainbow, and so glorious (look closely at the top photo-do you see the second rainbow?) I'm not a photographer, that's not my gift, but I hope you can catch a glimpse of how spectacular this sight was. My decompressor for the day came so beautifully pacakged, don't you think?

How to have a happy weekend

2008-08-18T07:19:00.020-05:00

Get in car, drive to Austin.
Visit my favorite yarn shop and purchase fabulous yarn to make another baby blanket.
Stop here for the best cupcake I've ever had (a Vanilla Dream Whipper Snapper, to be exact).

Devour above mentioned treat, get frosting on my shirt, cupcake in my hair and a smile on my face.
Make homemade pizza with dad and step mom, sit on their deck and watch the wonderful rain while drinking some dang good zin.
The next morning, take child for chocolate chip pancakes and see the smile on his face.
Drive home, stopping here along the way.

Treasure their "honor system" set up - be thankful things like this still exist.
Buy some gorgeous flowers, fall squashes and tiny eggplants. Get another smile on my face.

Be welcomed home by the sight and sound of more rain (and a husband and dog who missed us).
Put child to bed, hear him say he loves me "more than the whole wide world."
Climb into bed with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye. Be thankful for a happy weekend!

Cute Reusuable Shopping Bags

2008-08-13T14:02:00.015-05:00

These days, there really is no excuse for not using reusable shopping bags. Even Costco, Wal-Mart and Target have their own bags for purchase, and generally they're pretty inexpensive. My local grocery store sells nice sized, sturdy reusable bags for 99 cents. It took me a while to remember my bags when shopping, but now it's become habit.

I have found that you can pack more items into the reusable bags, so less trips from the car to the house. Plus, there are some pretty cute bags out there, which makes being green even better! Here are two favorites from my collection:

You can find a great assortment of reusable bags at this site, and though they're a bit pricey, I think the investment is well worth it!

If you still need a reason to stop using plastic or paper grocery bags, here's 10:

Paper bag production causes 70% more pollution than plastic.
Plastic grocery bags take 450 years to biodegrade.
Plastic “photo degrades” and ends up in our oceans. It is then consumed by fish, and eventually it winds up on your dinner table (lovely).
If you think everyone is recycling those plastic bags, think again. Only 2% of plastic bags are recycled in the U.S. each year
The recycling of plastic emits heavy metals into the air causing extreme air pollution.
An average person will use over 350 bags in a single year, and with only 2% being recycled? Yikes!
In New York City alone, one less grocery bag per person would reduce waste by 5 million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs.
In 1999 more than 14 million trees were cut down to produce 10 billion paper bags that were used by Americans that year.
Many grocery stores are considering not offering paper/plastic bags unless you purchase them (some stores in France already do this).
Shopping with stylish reusable bags is hot!

So, go out and get yourself a couple of cute shopping bags and hit the stores. You'll be encouraging others to do the same, thereby doing your part for the environment. Hey, every little bit counts, right?

**TO ANSWER ALL THE EMAILS I'VE RECEIVED ABOUT THE BLUE Q GROCERY SHOPPER BAG ABOVE: BUY ONE HERE

How to make your own dog biscuits

2008-08-10T09:01:00.013-05:00

I'd like to think I get my cooking talents from my father. He is one incredible cook - the man can cook anything and hardly ever uses recipes (yes, he's one of those types). Anytime I need cooking advice, he's the one I call (sorry, Mom). So when I wanted to try my hand at making homemade dog biscuits, I called my Dad. Of course he makes his own dog biscuits, why wouldn't he? He also makes his own dog food. I'm not there yet, but I figured I could handle the homemade dog treats.

DAD'S HEALTHY DOG TREATS
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup molasses
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp. oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Process all liquids and sunflower seeds in a food processor until seeds are finely chopped. Add dry ingredients and process until dough ball forms. Add more milk as needed to make dough workable. Roll dough out on floured surface to 1/2" thickness. Use any shape cookie cutter and cut treats out.

Since these do not rise or expand during baking, you can place them close together on your pan.

Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 30 minutes. For crunchy treats, leave them in the oven for one hour after baking. Once completely cooled, store treats in an air tight container.

The verdict from Lily the Lab? Yummy Yummy!

Black Eyed Susans

2008-08-09T14:41:00.008-05:00

Planted these in early spring - from seed - and they're one of the few things that's truly thriving in my yard right now. We have had a very HOT summer and NO RAIN, making gardening a true challenge. I'm thankful, though, for these pretty little flowers that put a smile on my face every time I walk out into my back yard.

My Dog Ate It

2008-08-09T14:21:00.005-05:00

This is Lily, our 15-month old Chocolate Lab. She is our first Labrador Retriever, got her at 12 weeks of age, and it has taken us some time to get used to her energy level and chewing capacity. (BTW, if you're wondering what dog breed is right for your family, click here) She looks so calm in this picture - but looks can be deceiving. Her full name is Lily B. Good, and she is truly a thief. She gets LOTS of playtime each day; walks, fetching tennis balls and swimming in our pool (we live on 3 1/2 acres of pure dog heaven). Even with all this exercise and play time, you still cannot take your eyes off her for one minute. If you do, she scours the house looking for things to chew. Here is a peek into Lily's culinary adventures JUST THIS WEEK:

2 sponges
a red and purple crayon
1 ink pen (great...)
a stuffed poodle
Jaden's favorite fish drinking cup
1 hose sprayer attachment
1 sprinkler head
1 block of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (Jeeze Lily, that stuff's expensive!)
1 plastic hanger
1 small jar of brown kids paint (non-toxic, thank goodness)
Hubby's slices of pizza for dinner Wed. night (I told you not to leave your food out)

Oops! What am I thinking, trying to blog when I don't know where the dog is! Gotta go...I think Lily is up to something...

Eat Your Spinach

2008-08-07T13:11:00.008-05:00

I recently read a hugely funny and informative book called "How To Eat Like A Hot Chick," and came away with a new appreciation for spinach. I've always liked the stuff, never squawked if it was in my food, but never made a steady diet of it either. According to the authors of this book, spinach is a "kick-*** food that will help you feel and look your hottest." Seriously, who doesn't want that? They bring up another good point about Popeye's secret: spinach is totally loaded with antioxidants and may also "help protect our hot little a**** from osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer and arthritis." Again seriously, who wouldn't want that?

The book gives many creative ways to sneak spinach into your daily life, and one of my favs is their spinach soup recipe. I've doctored it up just a bit - and hope you try this 'cause it's pretty hot (I even got my four-year old to eat some --- wooo-hooo!)

My version of the Hot Chicks Spinach Soup
In a soup pot set on medium heat, sauté some minced onion in a tablespoon of EV olive oil (if you've read this book you know the authors HATE olive oil. I don't and prefer to cook with it instead of using the butter they call for). After the onions cook a bit, add two cloves of minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add four cups of skim milk, a pinch of fresh grated nutmeg and a pound of cooked spinach. (NOTE: you can either puree the cooked spinach before adding to the soup, or use an immersion blender once you've added the spinach, which I prefer, because it purees everything together nicely.) Season the soup generously with salt and pepper and serve topped with LOTS of Parmesan cheese. So good, it's hot!

Homemade Body Scrub

2008-08-04T13:44:00.006-05:00

I am a coffee lover - the smell of fresh brewed coffee gets me out of bed in the morning and I'm not a happy camper until I've had my first few sips. When I learned that caffeine is actually good for your skin (caffeine increases blood flow, which is very beneficial as a topical cellulite treatment and it's proven to revive the look of dull skin) I started making my own body scrub using ground coffee as the main ingredient. I must admit the stuff works. I use it about twice a week and my skin truly does look better. Several people have asked me for the recipe, so, pass the java - it's time to make some body scrub!

Coffee Body Scrub
(this makes enough for about 3-4 uses. You can double the recipe if you'd like)
1/2 cup ground coffee (I use fresh, but you can also recycle your used grounds)
1/4 cup brown sugar (for an extra beneficial exfoliant)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract (for aromatherapy)
1/3 cup LIGHT olive oil or sweet almond oil
(I also add a few squirts of Vitamin E oil. If you have the capsules, just pierce a few and squeeze them into your scrub mixture)

Put all ingredients in a bow and combine thoroughly. Transfer to a jar or plastic container and store at room temperature. Use scrub in a hot shower and leave on your skin for a few minutes for maximum benefits.

BBQ Pizza

2008-08-03T15:46:00.007-05:00

Pizza on the grill - it's so good, the topping combos are endless, and you get to make pizza on your barbecue, which is fun and easy. This weekend we made two versions and I can't decide which one I liked better (pizza on right is a sausage mushroom, left is White Pizza, recipe follows).

You can top these pizzas with whatever turns you on; I've shared a few of my favorites below that are worth trying.
First, you need to make the dough. Hello? Is anyone still reading this? It's very simple and easy to make homemade pizza dough, so please don't let this part scare you and by all means, don't skip it and buy a ready-made crust.
Food Processor Pizza Dough:
One 1/4-ounce package yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
1 tsp. sugar
2 - 2 1/2 cups Bread Flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. EV olive oil
Combine 3/4 cup lukewarm water, yeast and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade. Let this mixture stand five minutes. Add 1 3/4 cups of the flour, the salt and the oil and process until a soft dough forms. Add as much of the remaining flour as necessary, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough is manageable. Shape the dough in a ball and place in an oiled bowl. Roll the dough around the bowl to coat with oil, then cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 30 - 35 minutes.

Topping Suggestions:

BBQ Chicken Pizza: top with shredded barbecued chicken (I use the premade stuff that comes in a carton at my grocery store), minced red onion, cilantro and Mexican cheese (I use queso fresco)
Greek Pizza: puree roasted red peppers to use as sauce, then top with Greek olives, artichoke hearts, sliced mushrooms, spinach, sliced yellow or orange bell peppers and feta cheese.
White Pizza: mix fresh thyme leaves with ricotta cheese, a bit of salt and pepper, and spread on crust. Top with thinly sliced zucchini and yellow squash and scatter some basil leaves on top.

To make the Pizza:
Preheat your grill so that one side is high heat and the other is medium (if using a charcoal grill, put the coals to one side). Roll out the dough on an oiled surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Put the dough on a pizza plate or cutting board and brush the top of the dough with olive oil. Spray grill with non-stick spray and flip the dough OILED SIDE DOWN on to the hottest side of the grill. Cook until grill marks form, about two minutes. Flip dough and move to medium heat side of grill, then top with desired toppings. Close grill lid and cook until topping appear done and the underside of dough is nicely browned. Check frequently to prevent burning.

Summer Squash Gratin

2008-08-02T20:00:00.005-05:00

If your garden is like ours right now, chances are you have zucchini and yellow squash coming out your ears. This recipe is a great use of squash in the summer because it has such a light flavor and goes with anything. You can substitute thinly sliced potatoes or onions for the leeks, and you can also add tomatoes if you choose.

Summer Squash Gratin
2 large leeks (ends discarded) washed and thinly sliced
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1 medium yellow squash, thinly sliced
3 tbs. EV olive oil, plus more for coating dish
S and P to taste
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

Heat oven to 425. Brush a gratin dish (or 9" glass pie plate) with olive oil. Place sliced leeks, zucchini and yellow sqaush in a bowl and gently toss with 2 tbs. olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Arrange vegetables in dish in a circular pattern, slightly overlapping them. In another bowl, mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle topping over vegetables. Bake until veggies are tender and topping is golden, about 20-25 minutes.

My brave little boy

2008-07-29T13:40:00.006-05:00

Today was a scary day around our house; my first big mommy scare. Child o'mine was playing "dinosaur hunter" with our Lab Lily and chasing her when he lost his balance and fell head first onto our coffee table. The minute I saw his head I knew we needed to get to the ER. It was a deep, wide cut just above his left eyebrow (barely missing his eye, and we're thanking God it did). I tried not to panic or cry, but that's pretty hard when your child has a bloody, gaping wound. I quickly realized I had to get it together, that he needed me to be brave so he could be.

To add to the drama, this happened minutes before we were to leave to take my sister and 4-month old niece to the airport. I called for my sister to come quickly and told her I had to take my baby to the ER. She cradled him, holding a cloth to his head while I frantically made phone calls trying to find her a ride to the airport. Once we got that handled (thank you Kim, you are a true blue friend), my sister suggested we put a bandage or something on his head for the ride to the ER. She raced to her bathroom and came out with a panty liner and some Diego band aids. We thankfully snapped to our senses and grabbed some gauze and first aid tape instead.

I had to rush out and leave her behind to wait for her ride, which is not the way I would have liked to end our visit, but it is what it is. Another true blue friend rode with me to the ER to keep me calm and avoid a speeding ticket or worse, an accident.

My sweet bean was so very brave at the ER. Watching him wrapped like a burrito, his face covered in a blue cloth while the doctors/nurses were stitching him up seemed to scare me more than him. He never cried but instead put on his best big boy front and got through it all with flying colors.

We're home now, and he's resting. I've said many prayers of thanksgiving that four stitches was all he got and more prayers that we keep trips to the ER few. All the mommy/child struggles and challenges we've had this summer have faded from my mind, and all I want to do now is hold him and love him and keep him safe. I love you, my brave little boy.

Tie Dye Day

2008-07-27T07:38:00.005-05:00

Today we made the cutest tie dye baby clothes! Found the how-to's in the current issue of Parent's Magazine and it looked simple enough. It was easy, but beware it is super messy. We did these outside--my sweet boy really wanted to help and got a little carried away being the "pot stirrer." At the end of our project we had created a tank top for my child, three cute baby onsies/tees and a hat for my niece and a ~~oh my gosh it's totally ruined~~ beautiful new patio chase lounge cushion covered with blue dye (aaarrrggghhh!)

p.s. if anyone has a tip for getting dye out of upholstery fabric, I will be your new BFF!

Where's the beef?

2008-07-25T08:04:00.003-05:00

Great White Hunter has not been thrilled with this week's dinner menu to say the least. As I mentioned, I bought the cookbook Deceptively Delicious in my attempt to handle the current eating challenges presented by child o'mine, and this was it's debut week. Problem for the hubby is most things I chose to make are sans meat. Like the super yummy mac-n-cheese, which had white bean and cauliflower purees, or the butternut squash pasta dinner, which was also really good, however, no meat. Last night we had black bean burgers - oh so good - but Great White Hunter almost had a breakdown. "Where's the beef?" he protested. "Every night this week you've been feeding me plants. I want meat!" I tried to fib and tell him that there was beef in the burgers, but he didn't just fall off the meat-mobile yesterday, you know.

It's hard sometimes when you are trying so desperately to find things both your kids and your significant other will eat. I love to cook, but seriously, the people in this house need to cut me some slack and just eat whatever I serve them or I may stop serving them all together. I refuse to make two different meals - you know, how some people serve their kids different meals than they serve themselves - I'm just not going there. I am pretty close to going on strike; have my picket sign ready and I'm not afraid to use it. What ever happened to the love? What about, "Thanks Mommy for a yummy dinner." or, "That was good, honey, thank you for always cooking for us."

I'm going to take a vacation by myself and let Great White Hunter handle the mealtime for a week. Maybe then I'll get some respect.

p.s., for dinner tonight he's getting steak, pork chops, hamburgers, chicken, ribs, lamb, venison, sausage....you get the picture. Maybe then he'll be happy.

The sweet days of summer

2008-07-20T18:31:00.012-05:00

It was a great trip to our new beach "house" and the weather was divine. We spent our days lounging in the sand and frolicking in the waves, doing everything but really nothing at all. This trip a discovery was made by my sweet bean, and I got one sweet memory to boot. We were all sitting in our beach chairs one afternoon, enjoying our surroundings when I heard it: the jingly, slightly static but funky little melody from my past. Could it be? Was it really THE ICE CREAM TRUCK? (I can't help but think back to that Eddie Murphy comedy bit about the ice cream truck - 'member that one? "I got my ice cream, and you can't have none.")

I jumped out of my chair and turned to see the truck approaching. Until this moment, my soon to be five-year old son didn't even know ice cream trucks existed. Yet somehow, by that jangled-up tune, he knew exactly what was headed his way. His face lit up and he looked at me with the biggest of eyes. I barely got the words "ice cream" out of my mouth and he was off, joining the hoards of other kids dashing toward the truck. Great White Hunter and I gave each other a quick look, then he dashed to the car for some $$ and I started throwing things out of my beach bag in search of something to take pictures with.

I emerged with our video camera, which thankfully takes still pictures, just in time to see child o'mine hand his money over to the ice cream man and receive his treat. He chose a ~~seriously gross alien looking~~ lovely green/blue turtle-shaped concoction, returned to his beach chair and savored this moment. As did I, sweet boy, as did I.

A humble beach abode

2008-07-17T06:33:00.004-05:00

We are leaving for the beach again today, but this time it's different. We recently purchased a small beach condo and this will be our first time staying in our own place, so we're pretty excited. During our last trip, we stumbled upon a good deal and just couldn't pass it up, seeing as we make so many trips to the beach each summer and rentals are getting quite pricey. It's a huge deal for us, buying this condo and a little scary, too; we now have a second "house payment" each month. We plan on fixing it up and renting it out, which thrills me because I love fixing anything up (you should have seen Great White Hunter before I married him).

It's time to head out, now, down to our humble beach abode. I can't wait.

I thought boys were supposed to be easy?

2008-07-16T08:02:00.005-05:00

Whoever said "boys are easy" never met my soon to be 5-year old son. Maybe it's the age, or maybe because it's summer and we're together 24/7, but lately he fights me on everything, which I'm sure my Mother loves because I was a ~~terrible~~ slightly difficult child. I'm starting to realize I've given birth to myself (stop laughing, Mom). Here's an example of a typical day:
me: "The sky is blue."
child: "The sky is gray."
me: "2+2 is four."
child: "2+2 is 184."
me: "It's time for swim lessons, you love swim lessons!"
child (who really loves swim lessons): "I hate swim lessons, I'm not going!"
me: "Why am I even talking anymore?"

Our latest battles revolve around clothes and food. I do love to shop, and when I was pregnant I remember thinking, "Oh having a boy is going to be great. I can shop for him and he'll wear all the cute things I pick out, no problem!" Ha! Not the case. Anything I pick out for him he'll turn his nose up at and tell me "It doesn't match, Mommy." or "I don't like that fabric." (What?? Now you're picky about fabric??)

What's really taking a toll on me right now is the food battles. Child o'mine has always been a fabulous eater; not so much in quantity but in quality. I made all his baby food, convinced that it would help his future eating habits, which it has, until now. (BTW, I highly recommend the book Annabel Karmel's First Meals - it's a great baby food cookbook.) He gripes no matter what I put on his plate other than chocolate - yes, he is my son. Last night I gave him roast chicken, which he usually devours, and he said, "I don't like chicken, I like meat!" Mind you, he'll say the reverse when I give him meat. I truly believe this behavior is more control driven, because I'll see him grab a broccoli spear when I'm not looking.

The sad part about the food battles is this: instead of having quality meal time, eating together and talking about our day, I now dread it and find myself leaving the room so he can eat alone (bad Mommy, very bad Mommy!) I'm sure this too shall pass, but in the meantime I've purchased Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious cookbook and will start hiding things in his food. Who's in control now?

Me Oh My, I Love Fried Pie

2008-07-13T20:41:00.009-05:00

Blueberry Fried Pies - they were so very good.

Served warm, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon, ice cream if you please. Thank you, Homesick Texan, for a fabulously easy recipe

for some dang deelicious little pies.

A boring day

2008-07-11T16:30:00.013-05:00

Had a couple of orders to fill plus one birthday present to complete, so I spent much of today sewing away. This is what my sweet boy calls, "a boring day." So that he didn't lose out completely, I made this for him (cut a T-Rex out of some old camo fabric and stitched to a t-shirt). Apologies for my crummy photos, I'm still without a camera and have to resort to the cell phone and camcorder for taking pictures.A friend ordered a couple of mess kits from me (burp pad and reversible bib), these came out cute:

This tooth fairy pillow is a birthday present (and also one of my best sellers) for the daughter of this creative mom:

Heavenly Healthy Banana Bread

2008-07-11T09:21:00.008-05:00

Made this today - it totally lives up to it's name. Not only was this banana bread good (and good for you), it also made my house smell so warm and delicious. I love the slices that have the not-completely-cooked part at the top. Add a little butter and I'm in heaven... (doesn't take much for me these days)

tip: when your bananas get too ripe to eat, don't throw them away. Toss them in the freezer; they will keep for a couple of months. When you're ready to bake, just pull them out, let them thaw out in the peel and add them to your recipe.

Chuck E. Cheese - Where a kid can be a kid and a mom can make an a** of herself

2008-07-07T17:15:00.012-05:00

Today we went to a birthday party at the big cheesy mouse house - one of my least favorite places on the planet. The pizza is bad, the place is crowded, noisy, full of germs and unsupervised kids, and I get a little crazy playing skeeball.

Anyone who knows me will tell you I am NOT an arcade type person. I get my kicks by gardening, sewing, cooking, baking--basically anything that lets me create. This is why I cannot explain how I acted today.

When we arrived, child o'mine headed straight for the games. I followed him around, let him choose what he'd like to play, helped if needed and cheered him on. About 20 kiddie games and a whopping 3 tickets later, he is hungry and heads over to the party crowd for pizza. I decide I'll sneak off and try my hand at skeeball; just play long enough to get some tickets so my child can get a prize before we leave. Next thing I know I'm hogging two lanes, hootin' and hollering every time I hit anything above 10 and wont let my 4 YEAR OLD throw one of my balls (I think I even told him, "Not now honey, Mama needs a new pair of shoes!") . The kid standing next to me is saying, "Wow, she's really good!" and I'm all, "Yeah, I played a lot of skeeball when I was a kid." I was totally embarrassing myself but too caught up in the skeeball rush to realize it.

As soon as we left and re-entered the real world, I suddenly became aware of my actions at the skeeball lanes and was a bit disgusted. I felt like I needed a hot shower, but since we were so far from home I did the next best thing. I strapped my sweet boy in his car seat, drove through the parking lot to the big giant book store and went inside to ~~regain my dignity~~ read books with my son. After a few chapters of Frog and Toad are Friends and Little Bear, all was right with the world. I think we will be out of town for the next birthday party at the big cheesy mouse house...

Potty Talk

2008-07-06T09:11:00.004-05:00

I read a hysterical post on a blog I love this morning, which prompted me to share my recent experience with the same scenario.

Child o'mine and I made a trip to Target yesterday and this is the conversation that took place in the bathroom:

(child) "Mommy, why do you have to sit down while you pee?"
(me, whispering) "I'll tell you later, honey."
(child) "Oh, I know. You have to sit down while you pee because your penis is inside you."
(me, I got nothing for that one)
(child) "Wow, Mommy. You sure are peeing a lot!"
(me, in my head) we are NEVER going to this Target again!